Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

I know that this is Jeff Tweedy's album. We've all seen the documentary. Jeff Tweedy was dealing with band turmoil, an evil record label and various personal demons, all the while creating this somber masterpiece, which catapulted him into the upper echelon of music greats that had dodged him for so many years. It was a musical Cinderella story, a triumph much deserved. That's what this album represents for most people, hope.

For me, it represents something else. It represents Jeff Tweedy finally ditching drummer Ken Coomer and getting someone who knows what the hell he is doing.

Enter Glenn Kotche.

You can say that the success of this record belongs to Jeff Tweedy all you want, but let's look at the facts.

- Wilco albums with Ken Coomey that sold over 500 000 copies - 0
- Wilco albums with Glenn Kotch that sold over 500 000 copies - 3

Kotch kicks Coomey's ass, and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is where it first happened. He had the experience (he had been Jim O'Rourkes drummer for years), he had the skill (he was in the drumline for the University of Kentucky, where he earned a bachelor of music), and he had a genius songwriter who was going through a deep personal transition, resulting in creative, interesting songs (Tweedy was struggling with an addiction to pain killers, as well as the drama of kicking out your whiny, less talented, grudge holding songwriting partner). Every piece was there, Kotche just had to keep 'em together.

Because of Wilco, I am convinced Glenn Kotche can make drums breathe. He manages to give Tweedy enough space in his compositions, coming through with a dirty drum sound that gives the album this classic sort of rustic sound. He is perfect at playing simple yet interesting rock patterns (like on Heavy Metal Drummer) or holding back with sparse flare ups (like on I am Trying To Break Your Heart). He fills in his space without drawing too much attention away from Tweedy, who is shining in his own way.

Without Kotche this record would have had the same loud, predictable drums that every previous Wilco album had, and Tweedy wouldn't have come through as prominently, which would have been a shame.

I guess sometimes you just have to let the turd drop.

Audio/Video Evidence: Heavy Metal Drummer, Jesus Etc