The Whole Love
Artist: Wilco
Label: dBpm Records
Website: wilcoworld.net
A true mix of all Wilco's talents
The Whole Love is Wilco's eighth
studio record and first for their own label dBpm. It is almost fitting
that now on their own, Wilco releases an album that relies on both
their Americana and experimental past to create one nice cohesive piece
of work.
That
describes The
Whole Love in a nutshell as the record challenges you on the
opening seven minute track "Art Of Almost" with its bleeps and blips,
quick tempo changes, and speeding guitar frenzy towards its conclusion.
It represents one of the most daring songs from Wilco we have heard in
a while and it transitions nicely into the bouncy second track "I
Might", that just sounds like classic Wilco.
The band offers up plenty of diversity as there
are rockers like "Born Alone" and songs that stroll along peacefully,
such as the title track. It is a balance that is well designed and
executed on The Whole Love with
it all coming to a pinnacle conclusion on the twelve minute closer "One
Sunday Morning (Song For Jane Smiley's Boyfriend)". This song, although
long, is a timeless classic from Wilco, as it comes off naturally and
flows effortlessly.
It is a song that could have appeared on any one of their previous seven records and is the perfect exclamation point on why Wilco has achieved a highly regarded status among fans and critics. It is exactly the type of song, on exactly the type of album, that always makes us come back, as well as ensuring The Whole Love will live forever because it is another must hear in the Wilco catalogue.
Christopher Anthony
For more of Christopher Anthony's music reviews, check out The Fire Note