Wilco - A.M.

Comprising frontman Jeff Tweedy and other former members of alt.country legend Uncle Tupelo, Wilco was an apple that didn't fall far from the tree. A.M., the band's debut, continues that older group's brand of updated country-rock (emphasis on "rock") and emotionally powerful songwriting. However, many of the best creations here--the driver's-licenseless drunk in "Passenger Side," the bar-band celebration of riverboat gambling on "Casino Queen"--sport an unprecedented sense of humor and are unexpectedly catchy, too. Best of all might be "It's Just That Simple," in which Tweedy turns the mic over to the high and mournful singing of bassist John Stirratt. --David Cantwell Amazon.com

wilco is cool

its really good, quite a bit different than their later stuff, but still really good. if you dig alt country, there is no reason to not have this album January 23, 2008

Oh so utterly perfect

I've owned this disc for several years, but only got around to listening to it a week or so ago, and man oh man did I miss out.. I've lived in St Louis for the last decade or so, and thus most of these songs have deeper meaning for me, particularly Heavy Metal Drummer, Casino Queen, and the southern Illinois-esque desperation that makes Passenger Side so real and special. I had the pleasure of seeing them at the great Fox theater here, and it did not disappoint one bit. I think this recording is probably their best, and the most similar other recording of theirs is Being There. To give perspective, I'm really more of an indie rock to acid jazz/trip hop kind of guy, and my foray into Wilco started with Summerteeth, which is probably their most indie rock record. I'm pretty sure I learned of Wilco from listening to Radio Paradise. However, this recording is just so complex and beautiful that I cannot help falling in love with it. I've also been listening to Ryan Adams lately (also heard of him on Radio Paradise). Anyone who is being turned on to alt-country (aka insurgent country) from a similar background of interests as mine should seriously check out Ween's country album (12 golden country greats) -- you will poop yer pants laughing and enjoy some really fantastic songs played by some serious musicians. You might also check out Hem. I've seen them live and they are also incredibly talented.. December 5, 2007

Loads of fun

I come to Wilco by way of Uncle Tupelo. I'm not interested in Jeff Tweedy's experimental pop-rock; give me New Madrid any day. Not that A.M. is all that country-ish, but the best song, IMO, is the banjo-laden That's Not the Issue (which no other reviewer mentions). The second best is the twangy waltz It's Just That Simple, the beginning of which reminds me of Ronee Blakley's Dues.

I'm not sure if I like this album as much as Son Volt's Trace, but it is undoubtedly a lot more fun. The downside is that it's relatively unadventurous. Also, Tweedy's ratio of lyrics per measure is quite low (You've...got...a blue-eyed...soul). September 4, 2007

Solid Album

From start to finish this is a solid fresman effort from Wilco. Clear are the country-esque influences of the band's past incarnation; Uncle Tueplo. The first four songs on the album are fast and fun before mellowing perhaps too much. Think of the current Wilco sound with a twang being driven by very solid song writing. I love it and I seem to grow fonder of the slower songs with each listen! April 10, 2007

The first in a series of worthwhile Wilco cds

This record is a solid example of alt-country or country rock. For fans of those genres, aficionados of Uncle Tupelo or lovers of Wilco it is, of course, essential. For the rest of us A.M. is simply good listening. Jeff Tweedy has an affecting voice. The musicianship is uniformly excellent. The lyrics are pretty well what you expect from music that sounds like this - simple, not very deep, occasionally amusing. I buy Wilco's disc as they are released. I'm not a huge fan. However, whenever I play one of their discs, as long as it is for listening and not as background, I enjoy. If you like Tom Petty or Gram Parsons you should like this. April 7, 2007

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