quote:

Originally posted by mark f:
"returning to form"???

Are you confused as to what it means or do you not agree with me that it is a return to form?

Yeah, how were their previous albums "out of form"?

Judging not only from what my ears hear (and they don't really work that well) and even from what many critics and forum contributors say, their previous two albums were at the least, a wee-bit experimental--just a tad.

This one reminds me of a band scaling back, returning to their rock roots and using them to the best of their ability.

Favorite Wilco album- my new choice is Sky Blue Sky. Wasn't an instant love at first hear but there was something in the tracks that ached for immediate repeated listens (so I took the Keren Ann cd off long enough to fulfill this need). What draws me back to and makes me love this album best among Wilco's releases is the smoldering power behind each track- and I mean every song here. A quiet yet loud, soft yet strong beat matched up with another string of excellent songwriting and musicianship- just the perfect lure for me.

quote:

Originally posted by FragileKidA:
Judging not only from what my ears hear (and they don't really work that well) and even from what many critics and forum contributors say, their previous two albums were at the least, a wee-bit experimental--just a tad.

This one reminds me of a band scaling back, returning to their rock roots and using them to the best of their ability.

Count me as one who would prefer if they lost their new found "form". What made Wilco exciting was their adventurous, experimental side. And I disagree with the "return to form" statement anyways. Even in Uncle Tupelo, Tweedy pushed the boundries of country, punk and alternative music. And then on Being There with songs like "Misunderstood" or "Sunken Treasure", they really started getting exciting.

I just don't want my Wilco to sound like the latest Mark Knopfler album. Not that there's anything wrong with that, its just I don't want it from Wilco. If the new Radiohead sounds like it could be the latest from Elton John, I'll think it sucks, regardless if its an ok record. I expect more from the more intelligent, cutting edge artists out there.

quote:

Originally posted by Hophead:
I re-watched I Am Trying to Break Your Heart again on my cable on demand service the other day and realized, Jay Bennett was hugely responsible for Wilco's "masterpiece" (Summerteeth).

Good riddance, then.

quote:

Originally posted by Hophead:
I just don't want my Wilco to sound like the latest Mark Knopfler album. Not that there's anything wrong with that, its just I don't want it from Wilco.

This is the point I've been trying to make about Sky Blue Sky. I've heard the argument that it's a more mature album, blah blah blah, but to me it sounds like Tweedy gave up on trying to write interesting, or even catchy songs. Wilco used to push the boundaries of the Americana genre. On it's own terms, Sky Blue Sky is okay, but from Wilco, it's a huge disappointment.

quote:

Originally posted by FragileKidA:
Judging not only from what my ears hear (and they don't really work that well) and even from what many critics and forum contributors say, their previous two albums were at the least, a wee-bit experimental--just a tad.

I understand where you're coming from on this, but I was actually happy to read Tweedy's line from the P4k interview when asked about why people consider his work to be experimental:

quote:

Jeff Tweedy: I don't think they listen to enough records. I think that's probably the biggest reason. There are elements on our records that aren't on every other record they have.

I also think there's something really funny about the term experimental in general. It's something that really hasn't changed in 50, 60, 70, 80 years however far back you want to [go].

Avant-garde is the one area of music that has never changed. It doesn't mean anything. There are very few terms that mean anything. To me, rock'n'roll-- as trite and as clichéd and as goofy as it is, I don't really give a shit-- is the only thing that stirs up any emotion in me. Alt-country, all of these other things just have something to do with where you're from, or I don't know what the fuck it has to do with anything. Making it easier for somebody to walk around in a record store without looking at shit they don't think they're going to like.

I obviously know that you have plenty of records that are more experimental than Wilco records, so I'm not calling you out or anything, but I have always cringed with that label being applied to their records. I understand the term and what it's used to suggest, but I think it's way too haphazardly thrown around. I've always considered Wilco's songs to be rock 'n roll songs at heart and using all the tools at their disposal to make the best damn rock songs they can, but experimental? I love their songs and albums, but what are they experimenting with? What ground are they breaking? I guess they're branching out from an alt-country/americana perspective, but in turns of experimenting, aren't they just scratching the surface of what others have done?

They are scratching the surface of their own souls, and I'm pretty sure that those souls were born from rock 'n' roll.

Nice link!

quote:

Originally posted by ericg75:
This is the point I've been trying to make about Sky Blue Sky. I've heard the argument that it's a more mature album, blah blah blah, but to me it sounds like Tweedy gave up on trying to write interesting, or even catchy songs. Wilco used to push the boundaries of the Americana genre. On it's own terms, Sky Blue Sky is okay, but from Wilco, it's a huge disappointment.

I have to completely disagree with you. It's so surprising to me that this album could be so divisive. Few people love it and others just think it is meh (whatever that means.) Maybe they aren't pushing the limits, or trying to be adventurous but the songs are definitely catchy and smartly written.

It's a great album because it is Wilco and their musicianship and talent make this album a gripping and rewarding listen. Maybe I'm hearing stuff you aren't or whatever, but this album is killer.

1. Being There/Summerteeth (tie)
2. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
3. A Ghost is Born
4. A.M.
5. Sky Blue Sky

quote:

Originally posted by Maximum Jack:
1. Being There/Summerteeth (tie)
2. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
3. A Ghost is Born
4. A.M.
5. Sky Blue Sky

Sky Blue Sky is worse than all three Uncle Tupelo records as well. I've got the first Son Volt album, Trace and its worse than that too.

I'd rather watch the American Idol finale than listen to Sky Blue Sky.

(Sorry, I'm just having fun)

quote:

Originally posted by Hophead:
I'd rather watch the American Idol finale than listen to Sky Blue Sky.

(Sorry, I'm just having fun)

quote:

Originally posted by Hophead:
Sky Blue Sky is worse than all three Uncle Tupelo records as well. I've got the first Son Volt album, Trace and its worse than that too.

I'd rather watch the American Idol finale than listen to Sky Blue Sky.

(Sorry, I'm just having fun)

I don't know if you're kidding or not, but I would definately rather listen to Uncle Tupelo then any of the Wilco/Son Volt/Farrar/Golden Smog/Loose Fur/(am I forgetting a bunch?) stuff.

I still contend that if you take the best elements of Trace and add the best parts of A.M. you'd have one hell of a great follow-up record to Anodyne, which I think is my favorite UT record.

quote:

Originally posted by Maximum Jack:

quote:

Originally posted by Hophead:
Sky Blue Sky is worse than all three Uncle Tupelo records as well. I've got the first Son Volt album, Trace and its worse than that too.

I'd rather watch the American Idol finale than listen to Sky Blue Sky.

(Sorry, I'm just having fun)

I don't know if you're kidding or not, but I would definately rather listen to Uncle Tupelo then any of the Wilco/Son Volt/Farrar/Golden Smog/Loose Fur/(am I forgetting a bunch?) stuff.

I still contend that if you take the best elements of Trace and add the best parts of A.M. you'd have one hell of a great follow-up record to Anodyne, which I think is my favorite UT record.

I wasn't kidding about the Uncle Tupelo and Son Volt records. They seriously are better than the new Wilco. Trace is a fantastic record, and I agree with you about Anodyne. Definitely the best UT album and one of the better albums of the 90's. (I also just realized my post above was wrong. Uncle Tupelo had four albums.)

I was kidding about the American Idol finale, however. That was the worst piece of shit two hours of tv I've seen in a long time.

I think Sky Blue Sky is beautiful.

That said, it didn't blow me away when I first heard it or anything. You have to let it grow on you. Don't listen to it for several weeks then play it one beautiful Sunday morning when you're in the mood for something mellow. You might be surprised.

quote:

I think Sky Blue Sky is beautiful.

That said, it didn't blow me away when I first heard it or anything. You have to let it grow on you. Don't listen to it for several weeks then play it one beautiful Sunday morning when you're in the mood for something mellow. You might be surprised. Smiler

Well, it's like any Wilco record I think. Each Wilco record sounds totally great when you feel a little bit down, or tired, during a calm day

I've always liked Wilco and Tweedy, and I think Sky Blue Sky is a fine album. Personally I've never been that into ranking an artist's albums...I don't see the point, because in most cases a couple months later I will have changed my mind. I'm comfortable saying, for example, that OK Computer is a better album than Amnesiac (which is probably fairly obvious to most), and I'll probably always think that. But any ranking beyond something like that gets futile for me.

The instrumental sections within songs on Sky Blue Sky often remind me of Pavement, which is a good thing. It's not my favorite Wilco record, but I think it's very good and is not a letdown in any way...

Well, I think I may direct this conversation into a more positive one. I think Critics should've waited at least 8-10 listens to SKY BLUE SKY. If they had, more reviews would be 100/100. I beleive, in time, that this will be the album of the decade. From the opening notes on Either Way to the last song, I believe this to be an error-free, perfect record. Guitar solos are back and musicianship at it's most confident and best from song to song. This is AAA prime meat. OK Computer was my fav of the 90's too and still holds up, but the themes of those songs don't interest me in my 30's any more. This record is a time stopper and beleive there won't be a better one this decade.

Everyone mentions it is the perfect Sunday afternoon listen, and as I finish listening today, on a drive back from camping, I realize that it is a perfect day anytime to listen to(even though today is Sunday).

Great sequence. Great songs. I haven't felt this strong about an album, well, since two weeks after OK Computer was released. Almost 10 years to the date...

quote:

Originally posted by The Furnace Is Fiery:
I think Critics should've waited at least 8-10 listens to SKY BLUE SKY. If they had, more reviews would be 100/100. I beleive, in time, that this will be the album of the decade.

I really love the album too, but I must say you are really getting ahead of yourself there. That is quite the statement considering the album came out two weeks ago.

I will chime in on the "Jay Bennett is why Wilco WAS great" talk. Show me a Jay Bennett album, song even, that compares to anything Wilco has done. I'll be waiting.

Some of the people who are criticizing the album give me the impression that they think Sky Blue Sky is what Wilco will sound like from now on. I have reason to believe that their next album will sound nothing at all like Sky Blue Sky and until they make Sky Blue Sky Pt II, I will stand by that. Wilco has not made 2 records that sound alike, why start now?

Let them be comfortable and angst-free for an album. They've earned it.