Did your Wilco disc come with a dvd? On the dvd Tweedy talks about the songs and how they are not as dark as previous albums because he felt the world has become a darker place and he didn't feel that adding to that would be a good thing. He also talks about being cleaned up now and how he does not really feel that has changed his process of songwriting but I think he comes across as a much happier guy at this point. The other thing they bring up is that this version of the band all get along real well and there is no tension between them. If you've seen the film "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart" you know there's a big change there.

The record does seem to be their most mellow and laid back and the songs are more straightforward with a brighter disposition. There's no question about that but damn it's a great sounding album. The guitars, keys, drums...what great sound they got. On the first play through I kinda thought this is their most accessible album because they had dropped all the long blasts of feedback and odd noises that drone on and on. Those things turn some people off but I find that they pull the record together. There just aren't a lot of bands that make albums to be played from beginning to end anymore. It's more about singles to download these days it seems. I can see hardcore Wilco fans thinking this record is dull or a letdown but I kind of look at it as part of all the other albums they have made and it fits in very nicely. I think on this record influences are a bit more transparent ( I hear Neil Young, Van Morrison etc...) but in a live setting these songs will sound great and sit really well next to the older songs. I love the record, Wilco, and I love Tweedy. So I'm biased but I'm just thankful that there are still some people making whole albums.