Wilco - Star Wars

Wilco
Star Wars
2015

Wilco have done something pretty incredible for 2015, they have managed to release a surprise album without leaks or anyone having a clue it was coming. This is now compilation of B-Sides or a throw away group of songs, Star Wars is an absolutely legit new album which makes it all the more exciting. One thing Wilco have always been know for is going their own way with things and this record is no different. This record is no frills, even the production feels gritty and live like the whole band was in one room recording this in one take. It is very organic but never crosses into a jam band category. That grit makes for a record that is fun to listen and sway to even as it makes stabs at art rock. "EKG" is a full instrumental track and really doesn't fit with the rest of the album, it's less rock and more performance art. It is fine to take a stab at the avant garde but when a record works this well as a straight up rock and roll album it just feels out of place.

I don't want it to seem like the tracks on Star Wars are not well crafted because they certainly are, but the Lo-Fi quality gives them a sense of ease. You are listening to masters doing master work and whenever that happens it just looks and sounds easy. On "Magnetized" there are these very subtle pauses where all the music completely cuts out and they are quite jarring but the fit neatly into the track and add something that you never would think a pause in sound would. The real meat of the album is in the details and Wilco have those little flourishes and notes so dialed in that it is hard to listen to this record and find fault. Star Wars most likely will never be topping any pop charts or blasting through your radio but it is a masterful work from a masterful band and defintely worth your time. Also it has a pretty kitty on the cover so....

9 out of 10