With 12 studio albums and almost three decades of musical collaboration under their belt, Wilco is one of indie folks' greatest and most prolific bands. It released "Cousin" over the weekend, a 10-track-long album of personal journeys and musical excellence.
The album begins almost in the middle of a thought, with "Infinite Surprise," kicking off abruptly with wailing guitar riffs and a quick underlying beat until it is interrupted by singer and instrumentalist Jeff Tweedy’s nonchalant voice, one of the band's greatest charms.
Tweedy’s voice is a delicate gossamer, lacking in variation but always tremendously expressive. He sings with an almost monotone quality that portrays his ironic and dry sense of humor while somehow containing multitudes of emotions. The best example on this album is in "Soldier Child," one of the album's standouts and most classic Wilco tracks. It tells a story with a beautiful metaphor, and Tweedy sings it as if it is fragile like he fears singing above a whisper to spare listeners from the quiet solemnity of the lyrics.
Other standout songs on the album are "A Bowl and A Pudding" and the title track, "Cousin." The first on the list is the epitome of the indie folk genre, with smooth, plucked guitar and nearly incoherent lyrics that allow the musicality to shine through. "Cousin" immediately follows this track with a huge change of pace, sounding much more upbeat, but with some of the album’s most heartbreaking and personal lyrics.
Wilco’s lyrical ability is another reason its music has become timeless. From relatable and broad lyrics like “It’s good to be alive/it’s good to know we die” to the metaphorical complexity and imagery heard in "Sunlight Ends," the album is not lacking in small wisdom and large lessons to ponder over.
Songs like "Ten Dead" and "Pittsburgh" blend in nicely with the other tracks on the album, and are wonderful representations of Wilco’s ambient musical ability. The musicality is ethereal and gritty, with quietly brilliant lyrics to match, making them perfect combinations of the band's indie and folk influences. The album ends on a positive note with "Meant To Be," a perfect culmination of the album as a whole.
From Uncle Tupelo to collaborations with Billy Bragg, from "Summerteeth" to "Cruel Country," the history of Wilco contains multitudes of experiences and sounds from across their discography. "Cousin" is a beautiful interpretation of this history, being soft-spoken and ambient with hints of rock and gritty influences.
There is not a lot of variation among the songs, but in a way that speaks to the band's ability to write a cohesive album while still entertaining listeners. Older audiences will relate to Wilco’s messages, most likely having gone on similar journeys to find these titbits of wisdom, whereas younger listeners are made to feel reassured by an older, familiar figure who is guiding them toward that future of formative experiences.
