Wilco
Indie Rock / Alt Country
One of the leading contenders in the "No Depression," Gram Parsons-derived, neo-country-rock genre, the Chicago-based Wilco was born when the remaining members of the now-legendary Uncle Tupelo rallied around singer-songwriter Jeff Tweedy, following the departure of Tupelo co-leader/guitarist Jay Farrar, who left to form Son Volt.
Strangely, nothing from either new band initially matched the highs that Uncle Tupelo produced during its career--and while A.M., Wilco's debut LP for Reprise, was more rock- and pop- oriented than the more traditional sounds of both Son Volt and Tupelo (Tweedy still covers the Ramones live, while others have pointed to him as the heir of Paul Westerberg), it seemed that perhaps Farrar and Tweedy should've left a good thing alone.
Which, alas, prepared no one for the brilliance of Wilco's Being There, a two-CD "concept" LP, which turned out to be one of the best romantic reflections on the rock 'n' roll life ("I was saved.../maimed by rock 'n' roll," Tweedy sings on the opening track) and, quite simply, one of the best two-album sets to hit rock since the Stones' Exile On Main Street. (And keep in mind: CDs are longer than vinyl!) Everyone from the Faces to the Beach Boys are channeled on this one. In a surprising follow-up, the band got together with Brit folk-rocker Billy Bragg to put some finishing touches on 15 unreleased Woody Guthrie songs for 1998's marvelous Mermaid Avenue. Make no mistake about it: Wilco is definitely a rock contender as we approach the millennium.
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