Sky Blue Sky

Sky Blue Sky
Wilco
2007
Rating: 8.0/10

Some say that Wilco's latest album wasn't enough of a step forward; Pitchfork classifies this album as "dad-rock" and throws it to the side, calling it less experimental, less noticeable than their previous work. I say it's still experimental, just in subtler ways, and for those that say Nels Cline is too much the centerpiece of the album, are you implying that there are too many guitar solos? Well, I have news for you people.

When your guitarist is Nels Cline, you can do whatever the hell you want and make no apologies.

First off, let me say that I am indeed biased. Niko got me into Wilco about a year and a half back, and due to my solid diet of 70's rock as a child (thanks Dad) I'm probably too comfortable with lazy shuffles and wailing guitar solos rock to give this album an entirely unbiased listen. I was familiar with Yankee Hotel Foxtrot before hearing this album, and my friends suggested I give this album a listen primarily because Wilco was returning to their roots; some country, a little blues, a little rock... stripping things down a bit. Throw in Jeff Tweedy's vocals and Glenn Kotche's always-there pocket drumming and you have a stew that is quite delectable, as far as I'm concerned.

Guaranteed, the lyrical work on this album isn't a huge evolution from anything Tweedy's done before. The musicianship is solid, as expected; Nels Cline is a god amongst men, John Stirrat and Kotche make as solid of a rhythm section as you'd ever want, and the rest of the band performs admirably. I would agree that Sky Blue Sky isn't a record that pushes the limits of the band's creativity, as some of their previous albums have, and as many music critics have noted.

But this doesn't make Wilco's latest album bad. It makes it different. More classic. Maybe even more fun for Wilco to play and create (this album was a collaboration between the band members. A Ghost is Born was Jeff Tweedy and Pro Tools)... but let's not think about how much fun the band had taking a step back and writing some straight-forward rock & roll songs, let's just secretly wish everyone was Radiohead. Pitchfork, take note. Idiots.

This album works because it's so classic. Not everything has to evolve all the time; it's not always the answer to spend hours in post-production adding layers and textures and colors to thicken up a band's sound. Sky Blue Sky is a great album because Wilco didn't follow their recipe, didn't try to expand on the experimental nature of their previous album. Wilco, I salute you for stripping down your sound, letting down your hair and writing some straight ahead rock-and-roll. Thank you.

My favorites on the album are:

• You Are My Face--Such wonderful groove.
  
• Impossible Germany--Here is where Duane Allman is resurrected.
  
• Side with the Seeds--Nels Cline can keep up with the best of them. The driving instrumental sections showcase the band's incredible musical cohesion... the guitar solo is the point but listen for the string arrangements in the background and the half-cocked, swinging drums.
  
• Hate It Here--listen to the conversation between the Fender Rhodes and piano throughout the verses. Stirrat is milky smooth on the bass.
  
• Walken--listen around 2:28 when our boys turn up the heat and stomp through a few bars in a two-beat shuffle; one of my favorites moments of the album. Kotche shines on this tune, and Mikael Jorgenson makes eighth notes vastly interesting.
  
• What Light--kind of a Dylan-y thing Tweedy has going for him, but it works great for the song. Slide guitar is the perfect touch.
  

-Derek