Much of Summerteeth's sleight-of-hand success hinges on turning down the band's former alt-country twang in favor of rootsy retakes of Beach Boys and Beatles sounds (particularly Pet Sounds and Sgt. Pepper's...). Although you mustn't underestimate the influence of The Turtles, The Byrds, and other wonders of the Sixties. Thoroughly lush, utterly catchy, and possessed of surprising pop confidence, Wilco's latest is as nearly flawless an album as any released so far this year. And perceptible, melancholy moods support such memorable, satirical stand-out lines as:
The ashtray says you were up all night ("A Shot in the Arm")
How to fight loneliness? Smile all the time ("How to Fight Loneliness")
Every little thing is gonna tear you apart ("ELT")
And
A watch that ticks is wrapped around my wrist, oh no, I'm a bomb regardless {"Nothingsevergonnastandinmyway(again)"}
Summerteeth could afford to be a wee bit more compelling and comprehensible lyrically, but the overall ambience proves that perfection can't be far outside Wilco's grasp.
4.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by Glenn HarperA funny thing happened to Wilco's frontman, Jeff Tweedy, when his previous band Uncle Tupelo broke up: he began to delve into the rich history of rock with the same vigor that Tupelo had explored the origins of country music. The albums that emerged from this exploration sounded not so much like artistic statements as they did a resurrection. Wilco had brought life to the Frankenstein of rock…The Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by Brett MacAlpineIt's time to stop referring to Wilco as "the band with that guy who used to be in Uncle Tupelo." With Summerteeth, Jeff Tweedy and his cohorts establish themselves among the first tier of not just the No Depression crowd, but rock music, period. Leading the listener down a path that is familiar yet fresh, this album is a roots-rock OK Computer. The sound of steel guitar on "ELT" is joined by…Similar sounding releases
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