Wilco's "Being There" is a two-disc, 19 song tale of a band forming its personality while experimenting with two genres of music, rock and country.

Although double CD albums are usually something left to more established bands, such as the Smashing Pumpkins, Wilco's album gives the listener a complete view of the bands' evolution since its last release.

Wilco's 1995 debut release, "A.M.," was a pure country-rock album. From the bright, jangily guitars in the song "Box Full of Letters," to the loud guitars and clever lyrics of "Casino Queen," Wilco made music that gained some critical acclaim.

But "Being There" should be the album that puts Wilco on the map. Its country-folk-rock sounds are adaptable to any number of listeners, but even more, it is a solid sophomore offering.

The album begins with "Misunderstood," a pop-angst song that branches from Wilco's previous guitar-driven roots. This song opens with mixed drum beats and roaring, screeching guitars. Then with one piano chord, the song turns to a peaceful melody with s inger Jeff Tweedy's Paul Westerberg-like vocals. At first, this song may startle Wilco fans because of its contrasts between the songs bits of piano and guitar feedback and drum staccato, which were never heard on "A.M." In fact, "Box Full of Letters" sou nds like something Pavement might record, and serves as a sample of Tweedy's new style of songwriting.

It is depressing to see that Wilco has jumped on today's popular angst-ridden train, but first track on the second disc, "Sunken Treasure" is a sad proof of this choice. But don't misunderstand this, Wilco hasn't conformed to the Nirvana-esque sentiment s so prevalent if today's music. Instead, it offers the listener two songs formed not around loud, distorted guitars, but the soft piano's sounds, drum's rhythms, all with a strong focus lyrics.

Wilco remain true their roots while experimenting throughout both discs. Songs like "Forget the Flowers" with its perfect acoustic guitar, swinging country beat and sweet background vocals; "Monday" with its muted opening notes, and bright horns and guita rs; and "Far, Far Away" with its harmonica backgrounds and lonely steel and acoustic guitars revisit some of the previous album's sounds, while bringing in the new elements of piano, horns and smooth background vocals.

But Wilco's experimentation is really found in two songs with similar names and similar lyrics. On disc one, "Outtasite (Outta Mind)" reveals a hooking riff, ringing guitars and the catchy refrains of "Outta Mind, Outtasite," with its disc two counterpart "Outta Mind (Outta Sight)" featuring pop harmonies reminiscent of Beach Boys songs. Also of note is "Outta Mind's" opening, which sounds like the familiar tune of the Sesame Street's theme song's opening lines.

The album's best song is disc two's last song, a loud, wild country-rock jam called "Dreamer In My Dreams." This song features a fiddle, a Jerry Lee Lewis-like piano, a bar room beat and a live shows qualities. This is the album's only live track. It is a d-libbed, complete with the band talking to one another.

"Being There" reveals Wilco's talent and how the band uses its strengths to offer a decent variety of music that is missing in today's music industry.

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