Wilcopedia – A Comprehensive Guide to the Music of America’s Best Band by Daniel Cook Johnson
Published by Jawbone – 13 September 2019
Wilco has been called the greatest American rock and roll band of the 21st century. And while that sentiment may be debated at festivals, in living rooms, and the local pub, one can’t deny their influence on the rock scene over the past 20+ years. So it’s about time Wilco got its own encyclopedia.
A new book, Wilcopedia: A Comprehensive Guide to the Music of America’s Best Band, written by journalist Daniel Cook Johnson, is an attempt to chronicle all things Wilco. It’s a fine read, and an excellent resource, especially for those conversations noted above.
Only two original members of Wilco remain, guitarist/singer/songwriter Jeff Tweedy and bass player John Stirratt, although the line-up has remained static since 2004. In hindsight, the first decade of Wilco was a kind of experiment in sound, as the band evolved from crisp Americana to the more risk-taking aesthetic that leader Jeff Tweedy pushed at “the end of the century.”
Wilco experienced numerous personnel changes over 25 years – and all who have played on their releases are profiled in the book. The focus, however, is on the songs, and Johnson presents an exhaustive song-by-song analysis.
The book traces the band’s musical journey from an Uncle Tupelo Americana offshoot to the alt-experimental act into which they evolved. The chapters are arranged by era, and the author uses lyrics from 1997’s Sunken Treasures to bridge things thematically. Each song, including many unreleased outtakes, is reviewed chronologically as recorded.
Chapter 1, “In the Beginning there was Uncle Tupelo,” covers the roots of the band. After an introduction to the band and personnel in Chapter 2, Chapter 3 “Music is My Savior” covers the 1994-1998 period, and the albums A.M. (1995), Being There (1996), and Mermaid Avenue (1998), the Woody Guthrie tribute with collaborator Billy Bragg. The author focuses on the development of the band and its expansion from the Uncle Tupelo sound. There’s a peek at the Wilco to come, but in hindsight, the band’s sound was still developing during this period.
Chapter 4, “I was Maimed by Rock and Roll,” covers the 1999-2004 period when the band broke through with their masterpiece albums Summerteeth (1999), Yankee Foxtrot Hotel (2001), and A Ghost is Born (2004). This was a period of upheaval for Tweedy and the band, personally and professionally. By the time 2004 was over, guitarist Nels Cline had joined the band, the present line-up was complete, and the band had established itself as leaders of the indie rock scene.
Chapter 5 “I was Tamed by Rock and Roll” covers 2005-2010 when the band mellowed out somewhat and Chapter 6 “I Got My Name from Rock and Roll,” furthers that theme. Albums like Sky Blue Sky (2007), The Whole Love (2011), and Star Wars (2015) are all fully examined.
Additional chapters cover live releases, film, and tv appearances. It’s a complete history, leaving nothing out, or at least nothing that the casual fan will dispute. Of particular note is the chapter on “The Covers,” where the reader really gains a sense of appreciation for the range of artists the band has covered. In 2013, at their festival, Solid Sound, the band once did a memorable and well-rehearsed show of covers. From Steely Dan’s “Any Major Dude,” to Bowie’s “All the Young Dudes” to the Beatles, The Who, Neil Young, Thin Lizzy and beyond, it’s nice to see and the songs and stories in one place.
Like any good encyclopedia, the book is well-indexed, easy to navigate, and comprehensive. You can pick it up mid-chapter and dive right in; such is the nature of a good reference source. And while the Wilcopedia may not be for everyone, Wilco fans will find it indispensable.
Photo Credit: Jawbone