A.M. to Z: An Album-by-Album Conversation About Wilco

In this episode, McCoy and Blair discuss Wilco's Ode to Joy, arguably the band's most subdued record to date. Light on cymbals and heavy on symbolism, even the album cover seems a kind of signifier of the negative space that the songs so deftly employ. 

Episode 11 finds our hosts discussing Wilco's tenth studio album, Schmilco. Featuring mellow instrumentation and personal lyrics, Schmilco finds the band pulling back on the guitar wizardry and amping up the intimacy. 

The force is strong with this one. McCoy and Blair gab about Wilco's angular ninth album, Star Wars. Though critically lauded, Star Wars is not often cited as a fan favorite. What do our hosts think? Listen to this episode to find out, you must. 

The Whole Love is Wilco's eighth studio album and third in a row to feature the same lineup of musicians. Released in 2011 to (mostly) universal acclaim, it feels like a natural progression from Wilco (The Album) both in songwriting and production. What is Blair's favorite track? Has McCoy read any of Jane Smiley's books? Does she even have a boyfriend? Find out in episode #9!

Join McCoy and Blair as they discuss Wilco's eponymous 2009 effort, Wilco (The Album). Produced between Auckland, New Zealand and their Chicago studio/practice space, The Loft, the album is the first since Yankee Hotel Foxtrot not to rely heavily on live tracking and instead utilize the studio as an instrument. 

Wilco's Sky Blue Sky found the band undergoing yet another lineup change, this time with the addition of multi-instrumentalist Pat Sansone and guitar virtuoso Nels Cline. Fun fact: McCoy likes this record so much that he got some of the album artwork tattooed on his arm!

A Ghost Is Born was the product of arguably the darkest period of Jeff Tweedy's life. Despite the challenges of drug addiction, migraines, and worsening depression, Wilco managed to put out its most surprising and diverse effort to date.

Yankee Hotel Foxtrot represents a pivotal moment in Wilco's existence. They were dropped by their record label, parted ways with Jay Bennett, and released what would become one of their most revered and influential albums. In episode 5, McCoy and Blair dig into the record as well as Sam Jones' documentary, I Am Trying to Break Your Heart.

In episode 4, McCoy and Blair compare notes on Wilco's adventurous 1999 release, Summerteeth. 

In the third episode, McCoy and Blair dig into Wilco and Billy Bragg's acclaimed collaboration, Mermaid Avenue. 

In this episode of AM to Z, McCoy and Blair discuss Wilco's sophomore effort, 1996's Being There!

In the debut episode of AM to Z, McCoy and Blair discuss their mutual least favorite Wilco album/the LP the show is named after, A.M.