Schmilco Explained

Schmilco
Type:	studio
Artist:	Wilco
Cover:	Wilco - Schmilco.png
Border:	yes
Alt:	9-panel comic
Released:	September 9, 2016
Recorded:	Chicago
Genre:	Folk rock^[1]
Length:	36:22
Label:	dBpm
Producer:	Jeff Tweedy Tom Schick
Prev Title:	Star Wars
Prev Year:	2015
Next Title:	Ode to Joy
Next Year:	2019

Schmilco is the tenth studio album by the American rock band Wilco, released on September 9, 2016, by dBpm Records. Wilco announced the album on July 19, 2016, and released two songs, "Locator" and "If I Ever Was a Child". The album's announcement came a little more than a year after their previous studio album, Star Wars.

Background and release

In February 2016, Jeff Tweedy first mentioned in an interview that Wilco would be releasing an album in 2016, though did not go into detail.^[2] During his solo benefit shows in Chicago later in May, Tweedy said they had finished the new record, but the band wasn't sure they wanted to release it yet. In July 2016, Wilco released "Locator" from the album to commemorate the one-year anniversary of Star Wars and then announced Schmilco several days later, in addition to releasing "If I Ever Was a Child" and "Someone to Lose".^{[3] [4] [5]} In September several days before the release, Wilco had "I Heard Schmilco" events at record stores to promote the album across the country where people could listen to the album and then buy it on vinyl.^[6]

The album's name is a nod to the Harry Nilsson album Nilsson Schmilsson. The artwork was created by illustrator Joan Cornellà in collaboration with Stefania Lusini.

On the album, Tweedy tells stories of himself, his family, and his history.^[7]

Critical reception

Accolades

Accolades for Schmilco

Publication	Accolade	Year	Rank
Consequence of Sound	Top 50 Albums of 2016	2016	16^[8]
Mojo	The 50 Best Albums of 2016	2016	36^[9]
Paste	The 50 Best Albums of 2016	2016	26^[10]
Rolling Stone	50 Best Albums of 2016	2016	41^[11]

Personnel

Wilco

• Nels Cline – guitar
• Mikael Jorgensen – keyboard
• Glenn Kotche – drums
• Pat Sansone – guitar, keyboard
• John Stirratt – bass guitar
• Jeff Tweedy – lead vocals, guitar, production

Additional personnel

• Joan Cornellà – cover art
• Mark Greenberg – engineering
• Bob Ludwig – mastering
• Tom Schick – production
• Spencer Tweedy – drums

Charts

Year-end charts

Annual sales chart performance for Schmilco

Chart (2016)	Position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)^[12]	200
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)^[13]	71

Notes and References

1. News: 'Schmilco' by Wilco Review: Somber, Sepia-Toned Tunes. The Wall Street Journal. 13 September 2016 . September 14, 2016 . Fusilli . Jim .
2. News: Farrer. Martin. Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy: 'Trump's success is a sign of how broken things have been'. The Guardian. 19 February 2016 . 19 July 2016.
3. Brown. Eric. Wilco detail new album Schmilco, share 'If I Ever Was a Child'. Entertainment Weekly. 19 July 2016.
4. Web site: Lifton. Dave. Wilco Offer Free Download New Song, 'Locator'. Diffuser. 14 July 2016 . 19 July 2016.
5. Web site: Pearis. Bill. Wilco share "Someone to Lose" off new LP 'Schmilco'. Brooklyn Vegan. 29 August 2016 . 29 August 2016.
6. Web site: Russell. Scott. Wilco to Host In-Store "I Heard Schmilco" Listening Parties. Paste Magazine. 27 August 2016.
7. Web site: Jeff Tweedy explains Schmilco . https://web.archive.org/web/20161004162435/http://www.mtv.com/news/2938982/wilco-schmilco/ . dead . October 4, 2016 . Geffen . Sasha . . October 3, 2016.
8. Web site: Top 50 Albums of 2016 . . November 28, 2016 . November 28, 2016.
9. Web site: The 50 Best Albums of 2016 . . November 22, 2016 . November 22, 2016.
10. Web site: The 50 Best Albums of 2016 . . November 30, 2016 . December 1, 2016.
11. 50 Best Albums of 2016 . . November 29, 2016 . November 29, 2016.
12. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2016 Albums. Hung Medien. December 29, 2016.
13. Top Rock Albums – Year-End 2016. Billboard. June 22, 2020.