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You Can't Hear it on the Radio is a blog about the current golden age of music. At no time since the 1960s has there been such an output of quality music by so many varied artists. Add to that technology that makes it easier than ever for the curious to find good music today. But, like an unlimited selection at an all-you-can-eat buffet, there's no table service. You will have to seek it out. The old model is dead. Generally speaking, you can't hear it on the radio. You can learn about it here, though.

Noah: Hey Steve, did you know that Wilco's eighth studio album -- The Whole Love -- is out September 27?

Steve: September 27th you say?

Noah: Hey, that's today!

Steve: Happy New Wilco Day, Noah!

Noah: You too! So I've listened through it about a dozen times now. And I'm really pleased with it. I can't lie, I was a little disheartened by the run of Sky Blue Sky and Wilco (The Album). I don't dislike either of them, but aside from a couple of bright spots ("Impossible Germany" and "Bull Black Nova"), something was missing.

Steve: Well, I agree that those albums are more straightforward, and Wilco is often at its best when they take a more experimental approach, although I've been pleasantly surprised at how Sky Blue Sky grew on me over time. Listening to The Whole Love the first few times through was like putting on a favorite jacket now that September has started to cool down. It's great to hear a band have the confidence to tweak their sound and not be afraid to do new things without losing their core identity. That's The Whole Love to me, kind of a merger between Sky Blue Sky and YHF.

Noah: That's not a bad description. I don't dislike either Sky Blue Sky or Wilco (The Album), I just missed the more out there Wilco. During the band's interview with the NPR All Songs Considered crew last week, Jeff Tweedy mentioned the idea that part of the "problem" people had with Wilco (The Album) is sequencing -- if "Bull Black Nova" had been first, that might have changed people's perceptions of the album. I think there's something to that, but that might just be because The Whole Love's first track -- "Art of Almost" -- is an absolute monster. It's so great.

Steve: It's sooo great. They've made a lot of noise at times, but this might be the first time they've really shredded a song - I mean, the last 150 seconds of the song is just wow.

Noah: If you've ever seen them in concert, it's clear that they know how to make noise, so I've been a little disappointed we haven't heard more of that on their albums. Unleash the Nels Cline, fellas.

Steve: There are plenty of seemingly straightforward songs on this album - "Standing O" is a good example - that have a lot going on under the surface. The Whole Love will be a good headphones album.

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