#18 on the 2011 Musical Bacon Calendar
The Whole Love by Wilco
It’s always surprising when a band that you’ve written off as “only for the superfans” is able to come back into your everyday playlist with something new. I can think of very few instances when this has occurred (R.E.M. and Underworld come to mind). And now I can add Wilco to that list, with their fantastic album The Whole Love, released back in September.
This album grabbed me right from the start, with the 7+ minute “Art of Almost.” (until I’m given permission by the creator to host the above video, which is of “Art of Almost,” please go directly to Richie Wireman’s Vimeo page to see this amazing video and hear this amazing song). I was disappointed at first that the rest of the album wasn’t as experimental as this first song, but after a few listens it was clear that the experimentation was just more subtle than the heavy-handed first song. If you stopped listening to Wilco pre-Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, then you should skip song one. If you liked pre-YHF Wilco, LOVED YHF and the next couple albums, then you’ll get hooked like I did. If you like later Wilco, then you’ve already bought this album and don’t need me to tell you to buy it.
Wilco were the final band to play at Sasquatch! this past May, and this was my first opportunity to see them live. They did not disappoint:
…as the final band to perform at Sasquatch! 2011, the 2+ hour set from the band more than made up for any earlier transgressions. The band was in fine form, and even though a small portion of the crowd stuck around through the end of the set, they proceeded to give those remaining a rousing performance. Playing songs ranging from across their 15-year collection, the band stretched nearly every song to it’s long-form capacity, throwing in amazing guitar solos and jams throughout the set. “Via Chicago” was a highlight for me, with it’s crazy crashing sounds repeated violently throughout the song, while lightning crashed in the distance behind the stage.
You know what to do now.
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19. My Goodness by My Goodness
20. My Head is an Animal by Of Monsters and Men
21. Gloss Drop by Battles
22. Showroom of Compassion by CAKE
23. A New Kind of House EP by Typhoon
24. EP by Grouplove
25. Fan Chosen Covers (Best of) by Eef Barzelay
26. TKOL RMX 1234567 by Radiohead
27. Organ Music Not Virbraphone Like I’d Hoped by Moonface
28. Heavy Boots & Underwoods by Ben Fisher
29. The Rip Tide by Beirut
30. Collapse Into Now by R.E.M.
31. I Am Very Far by Okkervil River