Pros: Deceptively simple, incredibly wonderful pop done just right.
Cons: .
The Bottom Line: This is by far my favorite Wilco album. The pop is impeccable and the dark entertainment value is priceless. Summer Teeth is a must-own.
Injecting a heavy dose of country music into their alt-pop songs has become the trademark of Wilco. Rising from out the ashes of band Uncle Tupelo, Wilco took a little while to catch on. At first, they were ignored but as the years passed the band led by singer-songwriter Jeff Tweedy garnered increased attention.
First it was with 1996’s Being There—an album that proved the band had both changed and matured. The momentum of critical acclaim and modest chart success propelled the band to record yet another excellent album in the form of 1999’s Summer Teeth. Most recently, 2002’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot stroked the psyches of fans everywhere. Even though their fourth release has proven the most fiscally successful to date, I believe Summer Teeth to be Wilco’s most perfect release to date.
Don’t believe me? Read on…
Summer Teeth once again brings together the innate talented of singer-songwriter Tweedy and the multitalented Jay Bennet, drummer Ken Coomer, bassist John Stirratt, and guitarist Bob Egan. The resulting fourteen (plus three bonus) songs are nothing short of miraculous. Summer Teeth is one of those albums that lacks a time stamp and is limitlessly entertaining. But at the same it doesn’t necessarily take a music PhD to truly enjoy the songs of Wilco. This sparkle—this unique luster—is what never fails to draw me back.
Whereas most of the rest of Wilco’s songs are laced with alt-country, those contained here are largely alt-pop. Does that mean the band sold out? Hell no. They were just dabbling with other musical avenues and I for one think they stumbled upon the kind of music they should be making. Can’t Stand It is an incredibly straightforward track. Chipper, poppy, and overall catchy, the song may not be the most complex piece of music but it does certainly peak curiosity.
The truly excellence of Summer Teeth kicks in with She’s a Jar. A dusky, bittersweet song it stands out as an album high point. Tweedy’s voice is particularly magical—but had it not been for the beautiful violin, organ, and harmonica the track would have lacked the spark that makes for brilliance. As it stands now, it is my single favorite offering from Summer Teeth. Plus, I can’t get over the dark, esoteric lyrics (a theme that pervades much of this album):
Are there really ones like these?
The ones I dream
Float like leaves
And freeze to spread skeleton wings
I passed through before I knew you
Everything here is worth checking out and as such I find it an impossibly trying task to choose “favorites.” In doing so, it is necessary to understand that there are no lesser songs here. Just a few that I like better than others because of my personal musical preferences. As mentioned I really do like She’s a Jar and album opener Can’t Stand It. Also personally striking a chord are the melodic and simple piano-driven Pieholden Suite, the edgy-yet-mellow How to Fight Loneliness, and the distinct and catchy ELT which also happens to be a distinct return to alt-country yumminess.
But don’t discount those three hidden tracks--Candyfloss, Summer Teeth and In a Future Age. Candyfloss may be brief but it packs a concise rousing retro melody. The hidden version of Summer Teeth is actually in some ways better than the original—I appreciate the organic nature of the piano and the irrepressible jangle-pop. Finally, In a Future Age is brilliantly re-recorded. It’s richer, more textured, and in the end one of the best tracks of the album far surpassing the subdued original “official” version.
Summer Teeth is an impeccable, entertaining, and thoughtful album. It might lack much of the band’s earlier country edge but that’s fine and dandy with me. Wilco is a pop band and Summer Teeth is a veritable tour de force. This is a must-have album that surpasses even Being There and definitely Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.
Rating: 5/5 stars
Track Listing:
01. Can’t Stand It
02. She’s a Jar
03. A Shot in the Arm
04. We’re Just Friends
05. I’m Always in Love
06. Nothing’severgonnastandinmyway (Again)
07. Pieholden Suite
08. How to Fight Loneliness
09. Via Chicago
10. ELT
11. My Darling
12. When You Wake up Feeling Old
13. Summer Teeth
14. In a Future Age
15. Candyfloss (bonus)
16. Summer Teeth (bonus)
17. In a Future Age (bonus)
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