Wilco’s new release, Wilco (The Album), is a well-crafted collection of rock songs reminiscent of the experimental 2005 A Ghost is Born, without losing the breezy accessibility of their previous work Sky Blue Sky.

With seven studio albums, Wilco’s sound has evolved from folk/country-inspired rock to guitar-driven experimentation, and the new album borrows structural and rhythmic elements from previous material. This takes something away from the overall impact, but there are still enough good songs here to recommend it.

The album begins with the humorous, radio-friendly “Wilco (The Song),” but the album hits its stride with the third song, “One Wing,” which has a soaring classic rock sound and catchy lyrics. This is followed by the most impressive song on the disk, the dark, experimental “Bull Black Nova.” Jeff Tweedy, the creative force behind Wilco, has written the five-minute-plus opus from the point of view of a murderer. Building tension in the best ’70s hard rock style, the song features dissonant piano and swirling guitars that reach a crescendo with Tweedy’s lyrics, “It’s my hair / there’s blood in the sink / I can’t calm down, I can’t think.”

In contrast, “You and I” is a simple love song that features an unexpected vocal pairing between Tweedy and singer/songwriter Feist. Like the track “Solitaire,” it relies on subdued instrumentation and acoustic guitar. The album closes with “Everlasting Everything,” where Tweedy again demonstrates his ability to combine poignant lyrics without overstated musicianship.

Wilco (The Album) doesn’t break new ground, but despite its flaws, it is miles above other releases that clog the Top 40 radio stations.

By Jeff Beal