The story of Wilco is inextricably linked to that of Uncle Tupelo – the pioneering Illinois outfit that redefined the genre of alt-country by fusing the beer-soaked sound of Midwestern country bars with the ethos of punk (although it could've also been the other way around). When a rift grew between lifelong friends and co-leaders Jay Farrar and Jeff Tweedy, Farrar left to form Son Volt while Tweedy and the remaining members of Uncle Tupelo changed their name to Wilco and proceeded to become one of the most significant American acts of the past two decades.

While their earliest work isn't all that removed from the twangy earnestness of Uncle Tupelo, after adding multi-instrumentalist Jay Bennett, Wilco quickly broadened both the scope and ambition of their music based largely around the songwriting genius of Tweedy. By the early years of the 21st century, they had shattered expectations with a string of genre-bending releases that incorporated lush arrangements, electronic flourishes and influences ranging from soul to psychedelia.

Although the band has gone through its share of lineup changes (amicable and otherwise), with Tweedy and bassist John Stirratt as the only constant members, Wilco have nonetheless maintained a high degree of consistency over the years. In this installment of Worst to First, we rank each of the band's nine studio albums (and two other important entries in their catalog) to date. Check out the list below.

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