Wilco's "Sky Blue Sky"

Sky Blue Sky
Wilco
Released May 15th, 2007 (Nonesuch)

I'm really not going to go on about this one. I'm limiting myself to 300 words. Basically, Jeff Tweedy, a man the world came to knew for his bleak observations and profound statements on the much-lauded Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and it's follow-up A Ghost is Born, is now freshly rehabiliated. He hasn't had a cigarette in years, he's off his pain medication, the migraines are few to nil. His band's lineup, as he has proclaimed himself, is in top shape-- the music will be astounding.

But Jeff doesn't want to write about distance making love understandable anymore, or whether Coca-Cola is satanic or not. His head once clouded with sadness and confusion, is now a Sky Blue Sky, and really, I don't care to hear for your complaints. For over ten years and across five LPs (including the live Kicking Television record), Wilco have been consistantly praised for their ground-breaking, genre-pushing efforts. Are they not allowed to take a breath and release music that they just generally enjoy playing? Haven't we already taken enough pleasure from Jeff Tweedy's pain? Close your eyes, forget about their earlier stuff, and just fucking listen.

Remember when Bob Dylan punched you three times in the face with his majestic Bringing Your Blondes All Back Home to Highway 61? Remember a few years later when he released Nashville Skyline? Well, that album has held up over the years, hasn't it? So don't give up on Wilco just because they're letting loose and shakin' off. Put your trust in the man you've come to love and you won't look back.