Scott McCaughey, of the Minus 5, defies traditional notions of what a coherent band is by collaborating with friends to make albums, as on this joint effort with Wilco. Wilco indeed perform nicely as a background band here, but keep in mind that this is McCaughey’s show. The musicianship is superb on all accounts, but the only strong resemblance to Wilco’s critically-acclaimed Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is the lovely texture of the album (despite inevitable comparisons of this album as the sister to YHF). Sarcastic, funny lyrics abound, as do childish “oom-pah pah” piano accompaniments and quirky melodies the Beatles would have been proud of (and were great influences of). The playful, sophisticated pop of Down with Wilco is as clever as the album’s double meaning title, and there is rarely a dull moment either musically or lyrically. Very vanilla, though very fun to listen to; it is also pretty obvious that the Minus 5 and Wilco had fun making it.
1. The Days of Wine and Booze
2. Retrieval of You
3. That's Not the Way That It's Done
4. The Town That Lost Its Groove Supply
5. Daggers Drawn
6. Where Will You Go?
7. Life Left Him There
8. The Family Gardener
9. The Old Plantation
10. What I Don't Believe
11. View from Below
12. I'm Not Bitter
13. Dear Employer (The Reason I Quit)