There was once a time, and maybe only once, more than a decade ago, when Winona Ryder and I agreed on something. As she was introducing a band on a late-night talk show, she said something I had thought myself: the group about to play was America’s most important band. That band was Wilco. And I still believe that to be true.
But before we go on, let’s go back.
Before you meet Wilco, you should know Uncle Tupelo: 3 guys who grew up together in a mid-west agri-burb playing Carter Family infused punk rock that raged from Replacements’ covers to murder ballads. If ever there was a band that represented what is now known as “alt.Country,” Uncle Tupelo was that band. They started out as a 3 piece, grew to a 5 piece … and gradually grew apart.
Uncle Tupelo left behind some scattered and estranged former members and 4 releases that stand the test of time on a couple records labels that did not. Legend has it that there were “cease and desist” e-mail exchanges about using the band’s name, which led paved the way for two new bands: Jay Farrar’s Son Volt and Jeff Tweedy’s Wilco. Roger. Over. And out of a mess of arguments and silence came what I think is the best representation of American music.
A fan-base split, a magazine named after the bands’ first album began, as was a style of alt.Country genre known as “No Depression” country music. And there were the gentleman wagers of which part of the split would survive and get a first record released.
I don’t think I am telling tales out of class, but I felt that the Wilco side was a more interesting and varied style than Jay Farrar’s Son Volt.
Wilco held onto the alt.Country style for it first 2 albums, getting some high praise for it’s second 2-disc release, Being There which began with a sonic distorted guitar lead. It also began much experimentation with recording and the addition of a multi-instrumentalist in Jay Bennett.
Okay, so maybe, all this does not make them America’s band, yet.
But the next two albums and the things that came along Wilco’s musical journey do.
Summerteeth, an album that takes pages from The Beach Boys’ “feel happy spaces” and pop sensibilities and puts them alongside regret, angst, anxiety and its antidotes and true American pop Rock ‘n Roll. Jeff Tweedy sings of loss… of temper, love, family, hope. Bassist John Stirratt said of the time recording: ”It reminds me of Heart of Darkness, where you knowingly extend the creative process for the purpose of exploration or redemption, or whatever it is you’re looking for.” As the band began to break free of their past, they also began to find their voice, which wasn’t quite what anyone expected.
And then they began a journey adding music and structure to some incomplete works of Woody Guthrie, working with British folk singer Billy Bragg. This collaboration resulted in 2 albums of original music from a collaboration of the living and the dead called Mermaid Avenue.
And a documentary was made of that time.
And then another documentary film began.
It’s around this time that Wilco becomes “America’s Band.” In the fires of tension and the throes of tour and travel, the band began to seemingly let the chaos of their lives translate into musical exploration and discovery. New folks were added to the mix of “this is how we’ve done it before.” A rehearsal/recording space was created. And technology was rapidly changing the way music was made and delivered. And it was affecting the music industry.
The album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, representative of that time. captured sound from the Conet Project which was used in audio and as a foundation of the mental loneliness of the band. Poor communication, bad times, hard feelings. And most of it was captured in Sam Jones’ film ”I Am Trying to Break Your Heart: A Film About Wilco” (watch the entire movie here):
Their record label at the time didn’t like what they were hearing from it’s owners, and especially didn’t like what it was hearing from Wilco. They said “no” to the album. The band decided it was worth its salt and bought the masters and found another label. But in the meantime posted the entire album to stream on its website. The first ever, I believe, of a band letting its fans have access to works that had not been distributed in any sort of typical manner.
I remember being at one of their concerts and Jeff Tweedy noticing people, most of he crowd, singing songs that had no record label to call home. He asked the crowd, “how many of you have our new album?” The room roared. “You realize it hasn’t been released yet, right?” He responded.
That album has been considered one the best albums of all time by more than one credible source. Maybe its was because of the story or in spite of it.
And now Wilco has its’ own label. it hosts its own festival, it records with living legends like Mavis Staples and has spawned side projects galore.
Through breakups, trials, identity crises, label woes and more, Wilco has persevered, truly creating a sound of their own. Building on and respecting what came before while shining new lights on our shared heritage. It’s style has no particular genre anymore, unless you simply want to say that they are the authentic American band.
Watch Wilco’s NPR Tiny Desk Concert:
- Visit Wilco’s official website
