Wilco, "Wilco (The Album)"

At first glance, it might seem odd that Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy would choose this point in his band's career to release a self-titled album. After all, Wilco has been through numerous personnel changes during the course of 15 years and seven albums. But the band's current six-member lineup, together five years and responsible for 2007's stunning "Sky Blue Sky," is its strongest to date-and "Wilco (The Album)" is as well-rounded an effort as the group has released. The humorous, self-referential "Wilco (The Song)" opens the gateway to a carnival of rock, as Tweedy sees it. Windows-down anthemic pop like "You Never Know" sits alongside the tense, textural rocker "One Wing" and the dark, pulsating murder-escape drama "Bull Black Nova." More contemplative fare like the spare "Solitaire" and "You and I"-a duet with Canadian singer/songwriter Feist-balances out the album. And thus Wilco, showing no signs of creative stagnancy, soldiers on with one of the more fascinating careers in modern American rock.