NO PLANS TO LAND

By: B

Wilco fans may have seen this one coming. Great bands can't keep releasing likable, critically acclaimed albums for too long. A band usually breaks up, cleans their music to gain commercial success or delves into experimentation. With A Ghost is Born, Wilco has obviously chosen the latter option. Ghost is a quiet, quirky album, stripped down from the layered distortion of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and a clear departure from everything they've ever done.

This is Wilco's second album released by their label Nonesuch. They were dropped three years ago after their old label, Reprise, deemed 2001's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot unmarketable. Compared to A Ghost is Born, YHF sounds like a polished pop album. Where YHF was essentially a collection of folk songs distorted with pops and fuzzes, Ghost is a delicate, organic mixture of piano, guitar and silence. An early recommendation: do not judge this album until you've given it at least a half dozen complete listens.

Throughout the album, the two most notable features are guitar jams and silence. Not to say this a Phish affair; it's far from that. Ghost is still rich with beautiful, subtle melodies mixing with singer Jeff Tweedy's familiar voice. But there is a more natural feel on this album. Tweedy's voice is tender and quiet (he often whispers his words), similar to "Sunken Treasure" off 1996's Being There. The hooks and choruses are buried four and five minutes into the songs, floating around silence and quiet guitar distortion.

The opening track, "At Least That's What you Said," begins as a stark piano ballad, slowing gaining weight as guitars and drums are added. It ends in a frenzy of instruments, a five-and-a-half minute warm up session. "At Least" introduces an active piano, which will remain as an integral part of the album.

The best track on Ghost is number five, "Hummingbird." It is also the most populist track, a sharp single backed by a clear piano melody and a sing-along chorus. "Hummingbird" could have easily been found on past albums Being There and Summer Teeth. This should be on the radio.

The final track, "The Late Greats" is also a fun guitar pop song, with catchy lyrics ("The best song will never get sung/The best life never leaves your lungs") and a subtle chorus. However, it is preceded by over 12 minutes of white noise reverb in the previous track ("Less Than you Think"), which is disappointing. "The Late Greats" is basically a hidden song with a track number.

The lyrics are another departure from the ethereal world of YHF. Ghost is filled with literal messages and descriptions, never straying far from universal themes. Where YHF started with "I am an American aquarium drinker/I assassin down the avenue," Ghost begins with "When I sat down on the bed next to you, you started to cry/ I said maybe if I leave, you'll want me to come back home." Lyrics have historically been a strong point of Wilco, dating back to the spot-on "Passenger Side" from their debut A.M. The lyrics are solid and clear on Ghost, a welcome change from the postmodern musings on YHF.

In terms of pop appeals, A Ghost is Born can feel like a chore. Singing along with Tweedy is nearly impossible because of the lack of hooks and common verses. The subtle melodies take time for even the biggest Wilco lovers (i.e. B) to sink their teeth into. Casual listeners may forget this album very quickly. Ghost will most likely only be appreciated by obsessive listeners: music lovers who value subtlety and innovation.

For the most part, A Ghost is Born is a critical success. The talent of the band is exhibited by the lack of editing and sonic supplements evident on YHF. Many of these tracks were recorded with every band member playing at the same time, a rare and commendable decision. Every sound and every silent beat serves a purpose. This is a complete album with a planned mood. The idea is refreshing, if not completely pop friendly. As mentioned before, this album requires a handful of dedicated listens to grasp the mood.

It is apparent Wilco is hell-bent on innovation. Like Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, A Ghost is Born sounds like nothing in their catalog. Though is has beautiful moments -- and is better than most everything on the radio -- it isn't disciplined or catchy enough to compare with their past work.

Arguing that Wilco is one of the great American rock bands on the scene is still possible, but Ghost is not something to lead with. It is a complement to their past work, another example to show they can and will make any type of music they feel like. Let's hope the next time around they feel like making the Great American Rock Album, because it seems well within Wilco's grasp. They've been orbiting around legendary status for almost a decade now, and with A Ghost is Born, it is evident they don't plan to land just yet.

 Buy this album from Amazon

POP RATING: 4

CRITICAL RATING: 8

B'S RATING: 7

TAKE ME TO THE TOP