Wilco + Yo La Tengo

KeySpan Park; Mon 13

Photograph: Autumn de Wilde

At Bonnaroo last month, Wilco was cycling through a set heavy on recent work. Jeff Tweedy and his band—basking in quieter moments as of late—allowed for a level of conversation in the crowd that, in my circle, quickly turned to whether or not Wilco is stronger on record or in concert. That itself is high praise for any capable band, but it’s even more complimentary of Wilco’s second life—the band might only now be coming into its own live.

After Jay Farrar left alt-country outfit Uncle Tupelo in 1994, expectations were high for his new project, Son Volt. But it was ex-bandmate Tweedy’s Wilco that made tidal waves in 1999 and 2002 with Summerteeth and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, respectively. After late multi-instrumentalist and engineer Jay Bennett was forced out of the group, activity was lopsided (his influence shouldn’t be underestimated). Sky Blue Sky (2007) was especially soft, lightly drifting into AM-friendly territory (A.M. ironically being the name of Wilco’s countrified debut). But live, it’s been another story. Since 2004, guitarist Nels Cline has been shredding…hard. And now, Wilco has a new disc—Wilco (The Album)—of somewhat grittier work. Sure, there are still airy moments (“I’ll Fight” being a particularly strong turn), but it’s songs like the fierce and noisy “Bull Black Nova” that have longtime fans seeing flickers of a return to form.

Opening at KeySpan is another aging yet rejuvenating troupe, Yo La Tengo. It will release Popular Songs this fall; expect the Hoboken trio to play mostly older material that fits that description.—Colin St. John

Buy Wilco (The Album) on Amazon.com | Buy it on BN.com

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