Wilco - Sky Blue Sky

Cafe Society
1

Rather than dredge back up this thread, I’ll start something here:

I got Wilco’s new album, Sky Blue Sky, from Rhapsody about three days ago, and I’ve been listening to it fairly regularly since then. I just had a few thoughts, and then I wanted to see what other Dopers think about it!

Disclosure: I was a huge Uncle Tupelo fan, and now I consider myself to be a gigantic Jay Farrar fan. I was not a huge fan of Tweedy during UT, and I honestly didn’t care for Summerteeth. That said, I loved Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. I really think that Wilco’s albums are intended / perfect for repeated listening. I’d say it took me the 20th listen with YHF to go “OMFG, this is fantastic.” Since then, it’s been in the regular rotation.

So, then - on to SBS? I love it.

The guitar work is absolutely fantastic - particularly on songs like “Impossible Germany” and “Walken.” It’s evocative rather than being flashy. Honestly, the solos feel like classic rock solos rather than being twitchy, masturbatory, or unforgettable.

They decided to really put Tweedy’s voice out in front, like I’ve never heard it. I think it works.

As for similarities, I definitely hear a little Beatles, some Dylan, and maybe even a little similarity to Phish. Also, as I noted in the last thread, “What Light” is the best Dylan song Tweedy ever wrote.

Initial Favorites: “Either Way” “You are my face” “Impossible Germany” “Side with the Seeds” “Walken” and “Shake it Off” (that last song needs to be listened to with the volume on 11).

So that’s what I think. Any other Dopers listening to this album?

2

I like Uncle Tupelo and Son Volt well enough, but Wilco is one of my all-time favourite bands. Sky Blue Sky, along with Icky Thump by The White Stripes, is my most anticipated release of the year. I’m planning to buy the physical CD so I’ll have to wait for the official street date this Tuesday before I can hear it :frowning: .

Interesting. I loved YHF immediately upon first listen but Summerteeth, which took me awhile to ‘get’, ranks as my favourite Wilco album followed closely by A Ghost is Born. Regardless of favourites, Wilco’s music definitely rewards close listening and I’m really looking forward to Tuesday.

3

Not true! From the previous thread, here’s an official link where you can go ahead and listen online: http://smartley3.wilcoworld.net/sbs/

Just go there and click the “Listen” tab.

4

Going to buy this once it hits the stores.

Wilco was one of those bands that I’d always planned on checking out but never got around to. I read about the controversy around YHF’s release (record label dropping them, release online, etc.) and picked it up. It wasn’t too long before I went and bought the DVD I Am Trying to Break Your Heart (the film about that whole struggle), plus Summerteeth and Being There, and just kind of ran with it from there. :slight_smile:

5

Heh! I appreciate the thought, but check out the 2nd post in that linked thread.

6

In my mind, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is one of two perfect albums ever released, and no Wilco has ever disappointed, so I really should have kept more on top of this. Off to go listen (thankfully, the streams work for my unhip, conformist system setup).

7

:smack:

8

I will also be buying this one when it comes out next week, maybe not Tuesday but definitely before the weekend. Count me in with the folks that can’t get the streams to work right from their website, but Wilco is one of the few bands that I will plunk down good money for without having heard the CD first.

9

I bought this today, and so far it sounds fantastic. I didn’t like A Ghost is Born all that much, although Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is one of my favorite albums, and I liked the Mermaid Avenue CD’s a lot. So that tells you where I fit in the ‘Wilco Fan’ spectrum.

Given that, this CD so far ranks right behind YHF and the Mermaid Avenue discs as my favorite from Wilco. And I’m guessing that I’ll grow to like it more as I go through it a few more times.

My favorite song so far is “Impossible Germany”. Great guitar work. Wilco picked up a new virtuoso guitarist in Nels Cline, and it shows. This is one of their most musical albums. Just a lot of great songs with great instrumental work and Jeff Tweedy’s lonesome voice.

It’s a pretty laid-back CD. If Van Morrison and the Eagles had a mutant child, he’d make an album like this. It’s not party music - it’s the kind of music you listen to while drinking a beer or a glass of wine, with the lights turned down and your eyes closed.

10

I’m probably going to pick it up today.

I’m seeing them June 21st and I’d like to get a know a couple of the songs. Might be playing at a theater near YOU. Check local listings. They’re good live.

11

I picked it up as soon as I was out of work last night, got home, and put it on repeat. So far, I’m really enjoying it. I think it’s a lot more accessible than A Ghost Is Born or even Yankee Hotel Foxtrot – no weird noises, no feedback or distortion, just a collection of sweet, mellow songs. I haven’t got a favorite yet, but “Please Be Patient With Me” has really stood out so far.

12

I sacrificed 30 mins of my precious lunch hour yesterday to go to the store to buy this and, after a couple of complete listens, I can say that it was well worth the inconvenience.

The CD contains their most straight-ahead music since before YHF. It’s missing the semi-experimental noise-rock of YHF and the abstract meanderings of A Ghost is Born but the strong craftsmanship of the song writing really shines because of it. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t some surprises and I really get a kick out of how a sunny folk tune will suddenly break out into a '70s style country-soul guitar solo. Sigh…sometimes I miss '70s style guitar solos.

Favourite songs so far are Impossible Germany and Side With The Seeds. Least favourite is Shake It Off which borders on actively annoying me. Maybe I’ll grow into it.

13

You know, I’ve had this album since March (don’t ask) and I haven’t found the time to listen to it much.

Pretty sad.

14

Wilco can thank the Dope for my iTunes purchase- after reading this thread, some new Wilco sounded like just the trick. I’m listening to it for the 2nd time now and I just love it. Apparently Jeff Tweedy (and maybe all the band?) was on A Prairie Home Companion last weekend, and sadly—very sadly, I missed it. Drats.

This is one beautiful album. It will get played a lot with the windows open this summer.

15

Either Way is a beautiful song, I really look forward to hearing the album. YHF is a fantastic album. All killer, no filler as they might say.

16

side note…I work with Jay’s nephew, jessie…17 and a virtuosos on his own…

UT rocks…wilco…meeehhh…just my $.02.

tsfr

17

I’m just not loving it yet. I say “yet” because Wilco’s albums have always taken a while to grow on me. But I tend to like Wilco better the noisier and further out there they get, so this is exactly what I’d rather not see them do.

But Wilco is like pizza and sex; when they’re good, they’re really good, and when they’re bad, they’re not that bad.

18

I like it after one listen.

somewhere around track 3-5, there’s a great solo that either has an effect, or is played in time with a synth. It sounds almost like Yes.

Good stuff so far. I, personally, like their more accessible music. I probably listen to “AM” more than any other album.

19

I seem to be the only person in the world whose favorite track on the album is “Shake It Off”. By a large margin.

20

I’ve heard bits and pieces of the album over the last few days. I think *Impossible Germany * is beautiful. There is a goddamn freakishly Steely Dan vibe to it that kinda blew my mind.

I’m not a fan of Wilco…at least I wasn’t til now.