at a glance...

Hometown: Chicago/Nashville/St. Louis
First Recordings: 1994

Members:
Jeff Tweedy - vocals, guitar
Jay Bennett - guitars, keyboards, backing vocals
Ken Coomer - drums, percussion, backing vocals
John Stirratt - bass, backing vocals
Bob Egan - pedal steel, national steel guitar, etc.

Bands in the family:
Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt, Golden Smog, The Hilltops, Blue Mountain, Soul Asylum, Michelle Shocked

To hear people talk about Being There, you'd think it was a homework assignment. Its country-rock lineage, its self-conscious ambition, the return of the dreaded "concept album"...hell, some even whispered that Wilco's grand statement was an Exile On Main St. for the '90s. Heavy baggage, man.

Yes, Wilco's Jeff Tweedy does his homework. He wants you to know that Being There is the product of a lifelong obsession with rock 'n' roll. But after Tweedy shows you his record collection, he wants to get stupid drunk and dance.

Because Being There is a fun bastard of a record. Take "Monday," or "Outtasite (Outta Mind)," or "I Got You" - all reckless rock aimed at anyone who's ever sung along unashamedly when "Ain't Too Proud Too Beg" comes on the oldies station. Be honest, you love it.

OK, so the grandiose emotional set pieces that open each disc ("Misunderstood" and "Sunken Treasure") are not light listening. No matter – the depth and sadness in these songs just makes the fun stuff more rewarding. So Tweedy winds down disc two with the slow molasses sweetness of "The Lonely 1," only to wrap things up with a delirious, sloppy honky-tonk called "Dreamer In My Dreams." It's the end of a long double album, but it feels like your first beer on Friday night. And that, as Jeff Tweedy knows, is the real power of rock 'n' roll.

If you like Wilco, check out:
Wilco Summer Teeth
Wilco A.M.
Uncle Tupelo
Jayhawks Sound Of Lies
Flying Burrito Brothers Hot Burritos!
The Rolling Stones
The Bottle Rockets
Neil Young

-- jf