Although "A.M." was released before Son Volt's "Trace", critical reviews were modest and initial sales were low. The album was later regarded as a "failure" by band members, as "Trace" was a greater success. It was the band's last album to be recorded in a purely alternative country style, as following the record the band began to expand their sound across multiple genres. It is also the only Wilco album to feature Brian Henneman of The Bottle Rockets as a lead guitarist.