Wilco Sky Blue Sky

"Maybe the sun will come out today/Maybe the clouds will go away," croons Jeff Tweedy on the first track of Sky Blue Sky. Indeed, it seems like Wilco has finally turned its head away from the dark depression that Tweedy embodied for most his adult life. This album shows a much softer, happier side of Tweedy and Wilco, ripe with delightful guitar solos (you should have seen them in concert!) and rather trippy lyrics. Some have critiqued Wilco for never having lyrical substance, but to say this is to completely disparage the care that they have taken to make their words sound important. They still manage to do the same with Sky Blue Sky, but their message is just a littler clearer, a little more direct.

Perhaps it's that directness that is so appealing about Sky Blue Sky. Many listeners have cited this album as Wilco's worst, but I would say that these individuals never really understood Wilco in the first place. This is a success story, and SBS is the part in the movie where they all the hard work and dedication pays off. Listen to "Impossible Germany" and tell me that Tweedy doesn't have a smile on his face when that 3 minute guitar solo just frees itself from the speakers. Even in person, they all look content with where they are musically--and perhaps it's that balance, that calmness that upsets people.

But ignore those fools and play SBS loud. You'll hear the sweet-talkin' Tweedy's sensitive side on "Hate it Here", and you won't be able to get that Theologian-like "Walken" out of your head. Play the Neil-Youngesque "What Light", and you'll be sold that this album is as solid as the defining Yankee Hotel Foxtrot or A Ghost is Born.

So forget what you've been told. Go and get yourself a copy of Sky Blue Sky.
Listen to "Impossible Germany" (4.8/5)
Listen to "What Light" (4.4/5)

Odds and Ends

So this post is going to address some changes to the blog and some other noteworthy events this week.

1) As I'm sure you might have heard, Wilco streamed their upcoming release Sky Blue Sky this weekend, and I had a change to listen to it. The album isn't due out until May 15th, so I'm hesitant to fully talk about the album right now, so I'm gonna wait. What I am going to tell you is that it's more of the same from them--and that's a damn good thing. More great solos, more great Jeff Tweedy vocals, more jangly guitars, more pumping basslines, more awesomeness. Believe the hype....Some of the tracks have been leaked on the net, and one has been provided by Wilco's official website...Make sure to pre-order when the option becomes available.
Listen to "What Light" (4/5).
Listen to "Impossible Germany" (4.8/5)

2) If I'm ever going to have a party, I am definitely inviting this guy: It's just like a mini mall.

3) Notice some changes on the left. I've included some upcoming chicago shows via chicago.tourfilter.com. It's by no means comprehensive..the website is not so good as it relies on the user (me) to put down all the artists that I like, and I just haven't been on top of it as much [thanks to Chris for this correction]. However, if I haven't already told you, check out iConcertCal. It's [expletive] awesome, and you'll never miss a show, because it works with the artists in your iTunes as opposed to a 3rd party source.
Also take notice of the link to my last.fm so you can really see what I'm listening to now (Impossible Germany actually). Kinda creepy but fun.

4) Also be sure to check out: I Find Art in Gibberish. A fan of the CSV is a friend of the CSV, so be sure to read his weblog.

And with that, toodles. Wish me luck with finals--Organic Chemistry's got nothing on me.