26. Wilco - "Cousin"

Ahh Wilco. I have a lot of history with this band. They are the reason why am with my wife. We started courting via the medium of Guardian soulmates and in her reply to my ad she listed Wilco’s rather spiffing 2004 classic “A Ghost Is Born” as her album of the previous year. Well, at least that was what I thought.

A crackly line caused by her having doused her phone with perfume meant that I misheard her declare that Placebo’s “Living with the Ghost” was a record of 2004. If I had realised she was referring to Brian Moloko’s overengineered angst, I would have never got in contact!! 

To call this a return to form would do a great disservice for a band that diligently hasn’t dropped in quality over the years. Essentially it is I who has done the wandering off and, on my return, they are still producing high-quality Americana. 

“Cousin” is a rich and reflective record that is neither melancholic nor euphoric. It walks a really interesting line that is brimming with passion but also markedly restrained. What it is though is sumptuously beautiful. The musicianship is always exquisite, and Wayne Tweedy has such a way with melody. This is Wilco Continuing to be Wilco and they do it wonderfully.