By Mike Fordham
When most people think, talk or write about Wilco, more often than not, they refer to Summerteeth, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot or A Ghost Is Born. While these albums are all fantastic, Wilco did release several albums prior. It’s a shame, too, since Being There, A.M. and the group’s work with Billy Bragg deserve as much critical and listener praise as Wilco’s later material.
Whereas Wilco’s more recent efforts are much more experimental and incorporate numerous styles of music, this was not always the case. The group’s debut album A.M. sticks primarily to rootsy “alt-country.” This should not come as a surprise to anyone because frontman Jeff Tweedy formed Wilco after the bitter split from the country-rock group Uncle Tupelo. Tweedy borrowed heavily from Uncle Tupelo’s sound. Both Uncle Tupelo and Wilco dabbled with country, rock, and folk-the only difference being that the latter’s songs are much more accessible and appealing to a wide variety of audiences.
A.M. kicks right into high gear with several memorable country-influenced rockers. “I Must Be High” and “Box Full of Letters” showcase Wilco simply having fun making rock ‘n’ roll. The hearty rocker “Casino Queen” sounds like a Rolling Stones romp, had Jagger and Richards been on a country kick. This energetic feeling fizzles out as A.M. continues on, but the musical muscle doesn’t let down. The softer and more reflective pair of “I Thought I Held You” and “It’s Just That Simple” feel right at home in the Wilco repertoire. The group goes out on a limb for “That’s Not The Issue,” a bluegrass/folk jaunt complete with banjo and Tweedy sounding like Johnny Cash. The stark yet beautiful “Dash 7” finds a near whispering Tweedy complemented by tender strings and acoustic guitar work.
With 13 tracks, A.M. comes across as a tad long-winded. A shorter output might have packed more wallop, although A.M. still stands as a wonderful debut. Throughout the album, there’s slight clues that Wilco’s sound would later morph and mature into its own original sound. A.M. acts as a bridge between Uncle Tupelo and the likes of Summerteeth, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and beyond. While it’s justified to read about Wilco’s prominence in music today, lest we forget about their past as well, as A.M. will attest to.
