Wilco: The Whole Love (2011)

Wilco has been a band for almost 20 years now and it seems strange that the current lineup is the longest running version of the band so far. The Whole Love is the band's 3rd studio album with these members (and 8th overall) and the best one the current incarnation has released. It's obvious that frontman Jeff Tweedy is more comfortable with the band than ever before and that comfort enables him to write in diverse styles that span the bands entire career. The opening experimental "Art of Almost" that  shifts from electronic backed folk, into heavy guitar freakout over the course of it's seven minute runtime. "I Might," "Dawned on Me" "Born Alone" and "Standing O" are all exceptional guitar pop featuring memorable hooks and great guitar interplay. The baroque style of "Capitol City" is a fine take on "Sgt. Pepper's" era Beatles while the title tack is folk rock done right. "Sunloathe," "Black Moon," "Open Mind" and "Rising Red Lung" showcase Tweedy's softer folk/country side effectively. It's also a credit to the comfort level of the band that they can pull off the 12 minute acoustic closer "One Sunday Morning (Song For Jane Smiley's Boyfriend)" while having it only slightly meander. The Whole Love is Wilco hitting on all cylinders with an album that's diverse, interesting and comfortable in it's own skin. It will be on many year end best of lists.

Grade: B+

Track Listing:

1. "Art of Almost" (7:17)
2. "I Might" (4:01)
3. "Sunloathe" (3:20)
4. "Dawned on Me" (3:43)
5. "Black Moon" (3:56)
6. "Born Alone" (3:56)
7. "Open Mind" (3:40)
8. "Capitol City" (4:04)
9. "Standing O" (3:29)
10. "Rising Red Lung" (3:10)
11. "Whole Love" (3:50)
12. "One Sunday Morning (Song For Jane Smiley's Boyfriend) (12:04)

Friday Video: Foo Fighters with Bob Mould - "Dear Rosemary" on Conan

It's the Foo Fighters playing with Bob Mould. What else is there to say?

Thanks to The Audio Perv for the video.

The Horrible Crowes: Elsie (2011)

The Gaslight Anthem are probably my favorite band to come along in the last 5 years or so finding out that lead singer and the bands creative force, Brian Fallon, was working with the bands guitar tech, Ian Perkins, on a side project of more low key music was an exciting thing. The resulting band, The Horrible Crowes, and their debut album, Elsie is not a disappointment but it's not a radical departure from Gaslight either.

The slow burn atmospheric build up of the opening "Last Rites" and "Sugar" are excellent ways for Fallon to stretch out and show a softer side that is only hinted at in Gaslight. This side pops up throughout the album in "Cherry Blossoms," "Black Betty & the Moon," and "I Believe Jesus Brought Us Together." and puts Fallon's voice and lyrics about love and loss front and center in a very effective manner. Anthemic heartfelt rock is still Fallon's trademark and the best songs on Elsie could easily fit on a Gaslight album with only minor changes. The stunning "Behold the Hurricane" and "Ladykiller" are the highlights of the album while the jangle pop of "Crush" and the organ driven "I Witnessed a Crime" right behind. Fallon also takes the music into heavy rock on a couple tracks with varying degrees of success. "Go Tell Everybody" works very well with it's mix of organ and loud guitar but the ham fisted "Mary Ann" comes off as forced and is easily the weakest track on the album.

Ultimately, Elsie is a good album that fans of Gaslight Anthem will certainly want to pick up. It's not a radical departure from Fallon's previous work and the best moments are the ones that come closest to what he's already done. As an side project of experimental work it's not a rousing success but as a glimpse into Fallon's musical abilities and influences it's a more than worthy placeholder until the next Gaslight Anthem album arrives.

Grade: B

Track Listing:
1. "Last Rites" (1:27)
2. "Sugar" (4:53)
3. "Behold the Hurricane" (4:04)
4. "I Witnessed a Crime" (3:05)
5. "Go Tell Everybody" (4:17)
6. "Cherry Blossoms" (4:07)
7. "Ladykiller" (4:24)
8. "Crush" (3:19)
9. "Mary Ann" (3:35)
10. "Black Betty & the Moon" (3:01)
11. "Blood Loss" (4:04)
12. "I Believe Jesus Brought Us Together" (5:37)