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After their historic five-day stop at the Riviera in February, shows lined up from the end of April to September and the not—so—surprising news of them revisiting Grant Park for another year at Lollapalooza, it’s hard to believe that the guys in Wilco have time outside of the band to do their own thing. Somehow, though, they all have found time to lead second lives in additional music endeavors that deserve to be listened to.

Mobile

by Glenn Kotche

On his third solo effort, drummer Glenn Kotche gets the chance to demonstrate his otherwise unnoticed virtuosity in the realms of concert percussion and minimalist composition. Defining himself solo away from Wilco, Kotche completely leaves that familiar Midwest rock-folk sound behind, proudly being one of the few rockers in the industry to experiment in the realms of 20th Century minimalism. With variations of a Steve Reich composition, a transcription of a Shona piece on the vibraphone, along with many curiously peculiar originals, Kotche’s

Mobile proves itself a genre—defying work of art.

Circles

by Autumn Defense

Multi—instrumentalists John Stirratt and Pat Sansone take advantage of this recording to establish themselves as a more modest and quiet departure from their home base of Wilco. Further indulging in the soft sounds of Midwest folk, the Autumn Defense capitalizes on their soothing vocals and simple songwriting glazed over with extended chords and relaxed with easy—to—follow melodies.

Loose Fur

(self—titled)

Consisting of lead singer Jeff Tweedy, drummer Glenn Kotche and Jim O’Rourke, Loose Fur is the sideproject least deviant from the sound of Wilco. The songs are casual with well—written hooks and the instrumentation as standard as one would expect, making this album the most accessible and most memorable of the four for Wilco fans.

Draw Breath

by The Nels Cline Singers

Led by Wilco guitarit Nels Cline, the Nels Cline Singers rebel against both rock and jazz by appeasing both and neither at the same time in their new release. With his fascination with careless noise as well as his appreciation for well—thought—out melody on lead guitar, Cline attempts at finding a balance between disorganized sound and carefully composed songwriting that reveals his genius.