Not too familiar with their earlier work except that Guthrie thing (which I LOVETH but can't remember the name of) but exxxxxccellleennnttt
I also recently realized that a lot of the artists I'm really into now are "alt country" like that. hmm They say Pete Yorn is alt.country. And Bryan Adams! *loveth* So I geuss if you like those guys, you should like most of Wilco
------------------ ~*Mona*~
LOVE me, give me SOUL "Rock n Roll never tasted so good" ~Bono Get on the Boos
Burn down the disco* Hang the blessed D.J.*
Because the music that they constantly play*
IT SAYS NOTHING TO ME ABOUT MY LIFE ~Smiths
I am just for you, as you are not for me ~Pete Yorn
mug222 knows how I feel about this, but I would suggest you give either of the two Billy Bragg & Wilco MERMAID AVENUE CDs a spin (those are the "Guthrie thing" WildHonee refers to). Also check out related bands Uncle Tupelo and Son Volt.
The Wilco album is good, overhyped but good. I really like it and think it's great, but it's not the "classic, amazing" album lots of the reviews around make it to be.