So the new Wilco album Sky Blue Sky comes out on Tuesday (that's tomorrow for those who are still asleep) and I expect that all of you will be making a stop to pick up a copy. I'll see you there.
A few weeks ago I had a brief conversation with Ryan from the (Wilco-inspired) Muzzle of Bees blog and we both agreed that initially neither of us was really all that impressed with Sky Blue Sky and its warm 70's rock sound. We both commented that while the bands sounds tighter and more together than ever, most of the songs don't have those "reel you in" hooks that much (ok all) of Jeff Tweedy and Wilco's previous material had.
I'm not sure about Ryan, but I have had a change of heart. After listening to Sky Blue Sky a number of times since then, I've come to the conclusion that it might be the biggest leap forward that Wilco has made yet. It is an subtly adventurous album that eschews many of the alt-country and pop-rock tendencies that made Wilco the band we all love. They throw so much of sound that fans know right out the window and (for that reason) have made a bold statement.
For example, my wife Amy is a huge Wilco fan and (while she hasn't listened to Sky Blue Sky all that many times) her cursory reaction to the record was a negative one. I think many people will react just as she did.
Think about it carefully though and don't be so quick to judge. From A.M. to Being There to Summerteeth to Yankee Hotel Foxtrot to A Ghost Is Born to Sky Blue Sky Tweedy and company haven't been afraid to take chances and make the music they want to make. I really respect that. Yes, the songs and hooks on Sky Blue Sky are less-obvious than "She's A Jar" or "Misunderstood," but that doesn't mean they aren't good.
Sky Blue Sky is out tomorrow on Nonesuch Records.
MP3 | Wilco - Impossible Germany Sky Blue Sky
MP3 | Wilco - Walken Sky Blue Sky
Find more from Wilco over at The Hype Machine.
2 Comments ↓
I echo such sentiments. A Ghost is Born and Sky Blue Sky are growers. And that's fine by me. But I know it's not fine if all the new music you listen to is based off of one listen to an unmastered copy that leaked onto the Internet four months ago.
I agree, Sky Blue Sky is a grower. There is a simple beauty to most of these songs that sound better with every listen.
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