02: Album Review: A Ghost Is Born/ Wilco

---Hot off the presses, I've spun this disc only two and a-half times now. I must say I am certainly impressed. Yes, like many, my introduction to Wilco (aka Jeff Tweedy and that band) was 2002's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, a rich, dream-like odyssey and one of the finest albums of this decade. Amidst the hype surrounding that release, I was compelled to adore it right away. But, it's different this time. I have now heard all the Wilco and some Uncle Tupelo and was certainly not expecting the new mix of sounds A Ghost Is Born is giving to me. Yes, it has some low points. I won't mention them, because every critic's review of the album does, so I'll just stick to the strong points.
The opener "At Least That What She Said" is quite a departure from "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart" from YHF. It is more like a revisit to Being There and the great opener "Misunderstood", one of Wilco's best. The last half of the song is an eye-opener and sets the tone nicely for the rest of the first side of the album. "Hell is Chrome" is interesting but fogettable after the smashing "Spiders(Kidsmoke)" which could be the high point of the entire thing. Tweedy really shows off his artillary, this time with Neil Young-ish guitar wailing instead of wily, politically consciousness in his lyrics like the last album's "War on War" or "Jesus, etc".
"Muzzle of Bees" proves single-handedly Wilco's relevance along side greats like The Beatles, and "Hummingbird" reinforces it with hooks every which way. And then there's "Handshake Drugs", my new favorite Wilco song. It's not quite as sentimental as some of the other great Wilco tunes, but nonetheless summer fun. The last half of the album is less accessible and will draw a few complaints, but for the most part, a good time is had. "The Late Greats" ends the record on a cheerful note, but not bordering on cheesy like a few moments from the '99 masterpiece Summerteeth.
So, the album won't end up on all the "best-of" lists come this December. But, it is definetely a solid piece of the puzzle for the band Wilco, a focal point for this decade for consistent rock and roll albums.
Bottom Line: The album cover says it all. You can crack this egg, but nothing's inside unless you want it to be so.
Overall Rating: 7.5/10
Album Highlight: Handshake Drugs

WILCO
AM: 5.8/10
Being There: 7.5/10
Summerteeth: 8.0/10
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot: 9.7/10