I might as well just come out and admit right away that I am the most biased person on the planet to review the iPhone app (free). A member of Wilco could spit on my iPhone and call it an iPhone app and I’d probably proclaim it the greatest thing to ever happen to the iPhone. Plus, I’d never wash my iPhone again.
Open the Wilco iPhone app and after a shot of Alfred, the camel whose birthday party is prominently featured in photos on Wilco’s latest album, a list of options appears. You can choose “News,” “Shows,” “Records,” “Roadcase,” “Store,” “Photos,” “Info,” or “Ashes.”
“News” is news about Wilco. Duh. What’s listed here is essentially press releases, and I do kind of wish there were links to news items about Wilco, but that’s OK. Everything Wilco does is fine with me.
Tap “Shows” and you get a list of all upcoming Wilco tour dates, and each includes a link to request a song (“Monday”! No, “Ashes”! No, wait, “Casino Queen”! OMG I can’t decide just play everything please!), or to buy tickets to the show (unless it’s sold out, and then you lose. Sorry). Also provided is a link to a map to the venue, because Wilco doesn’t want you to get lost. Because they’re awesome.
You know you want to hear some amazing music, so go ahead and tap “Records,” and you’ll see thumbnails of Wilco’s album covers. Tap a cover, then tap the title of the song you want to hear. And these are full versions, not wimpy 30-second disappointments. Also provided are links to buy the albums on iTunes, which you might have to do, but I do not because I already own them all.
“Roadcase” includes recordings of the Wilco podcast, concert setlists (I never can decipher what it is I’ve scribbled down in my little Wilco setlist notebook, especially when the ink is smeared by my joyful tears. And beer.), a slideshow of Wilco’s concert posters, the full video of “Monday,” which is from their film “Ashes of American Flags,” as well as live recordings of songs from the film.
Need more Wilco paraphernalia? Click “Store” to buy T-shirts, posters, tote bags, suspenders, and more.
“Photos” contains an awesome slideshow of Wilco pics (which I will not admit to gazing at every night before I go to sleep. That would be weird).
Tap “Info” to find all the different ways in which you might stalk — I mean, get in touch with — Wilco. Management company, record company, concert bookings, etc.
“Ashes” collects in one place the trailer for “Ashes of American Flags”, the film, the video of “Monday” from the film, and the live tracks as well, just in case you needed two ways to access that stuff.
The iPhone app crashes on me once in a while, mostly when I’m looking at the photos or the concert posters, but that’s forgivable. Because it’s Wilco.
