Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Either Way

"Either you will, or you won't."

Boil it down, winnow the chaff, skim the cream; we really have only one decision in life made over and over again. Either we do, or we do not, there is no try. Yoda had that one right. Today I will review Wilco's Sky Blue Sky.

Wilco - Sky Blue Sky

http://www.discogs.com/Wilco-Sky-Blue-Sky/release/1178632

Following the release of Sky Blue Sky, Nonesuch began reissuing most of Wilco's catalog. They are quality pressings, as most of Nonesuch's offerings are. Pressed on heavyweight vinyl and packed in stiff jackets, they also come with a CD version of the album. Though not exceptionally rare, they are definitely among my most prized items in my collection.



The front of the jacket displays a picture of a flock of birds that appear to be migrating. A solitary fowl hangs just outside the sea of birds. One wonders if the flock is revealing or obscuring the field of view. Though the blur suggests motion, it is hard to tell the direction.




The back of the jacket features a wrap around of the front jacket artwork. It also lists the tracks for the album. The presentation as a whole is starkly black and white.




The interior of the gatefold is a photograph of the band, mosaic style. Though straight faced, most of the band have the traces of a smile on their face. Jeff Tweedy however sits with a pained expression gripping a beautiful hollow body.



An included insert features a series of photo booth style photographs of the band. The vinyl is sleeved in transparent pink thick plastic sleeves. The vinyl itself is 180 gram and mastered at half speed.

The sound quality on this pressing is superb. The copy I own has been played infrequently (I usually just listen to the CD in my car) and still retains a high gloss. I see no scuffing or scratches so I will not address any sound issues unless something notable arises. There is a lot of depth to this album so I will give each track a separate review.

Either Way expresses the mood for this album very well; often melancholy with fleeting moments of expectant joy. The track begins with slightly muffled guitar lick. It bounces pleasantly along as the background for the song is filled in. Organ and violin build as the song culminates to a hanging end. Lyrically, this track touches on the album's theme of do or do not. I really dig this track.

Track two, You Are My Face, is my favorite of the album. It begins very similarly to track one; a solitary guitar followed by reserved lyrics. The mood shifts as a gritty guitar solo begins. The tone of the song becomes one of confusion, a feeling of loss. I have a lot to say about the lyrical content of this track, but I think I covered most of it in the preamble to the review. The track revisits its beginning at the end and trails off into a keyed melody.

Impossible Germany follows suit to conclude side A. Beginning in the same style it is driven by an interesting guitar lick. The mood of this song is slightly more playful than the first two tracks, yet we can sense a feeling of longing still. This track also features another of Jeff's enviable guitar solos. Though not the most technically proficient of guitarists, he finds notes on the neck that I did not know existed. The sound and effects he utilizes really fit well with the feel of the track. He has the ability to solo within the song, rather than outside of it. The song falls apart slowly as the needle lifts off the groove.

The titular track Sky Blue Sky begins side B. This track swings along a brushed drum rhythm as guitar chords are plucked half heartedly plucked. This short track is one of the most raw on this album. It conveys the bittersweet mood, complimented by down right sad lyrics.

Side With Seeds picks up the slack of the previous track. Piano is the focus of the melody on this track. It builds into a really fucking awesome jam. A frantic guitar enters the field foreshadowing the longer solo soon to come. The track returns to the chorus and just as quickly goes back to the jam. Distortion echoes over a guitar solo that yearns to be released. We are left with a iridescent high note as the track concludes.

The next track, "Shake It Off," begins in an almost empty state. Jeff's vocals sputter over drums and low key guitar. Soon a really fat bass makes its presence known. Peppered with syncopated break downs, this track really grooves. Occasionally silly, the guitar on this track really finds the interior of your ears. Strange bends relax into pure tones. Fucking awesome gem off of this album.

Please Be Patient With Me begins the second half of the album. Lyrically, this track really resonates with me. I can at times be...difficult. Figuring me out and being able to relate to me requires patience. I don't always speak my mind, and have a tendency to wait until the last possible moment. Musically, this track is pretty straightforward. With simple guitar melody and reserved vocals, it is a really nice little song.

Hate It Here tells the story of a man pining for the return of his lover. He tries to stay busy, learns how to use a washing machine, does the dishes and mows the lawn. But keeping things clean doesn't change anything. He wonders what he is going to do when he runs out of lawn to mow and shirts to fold. What will he do if you never come home? If you've ever lived in a domicile after the departure of your significant other, you know the feeling. He hates it there when you're gone. Musically, this track relies on the use of really fat distorted guitar that moves up and down the neck of the guitar. Really awesome track.

The next track, "Leave Me (Like You Found Me)," aches with loneliness. Jeff yearns for someone to be lonely with. The lyrical content of this song is really well done. The guitar part in the middle of the track is reminiscent of Ween. Not the best track on the album, but good nonetheless.

The fourth side begins with "Walken." This track differs in feel and style from the rest of the album. An almost ragtime piano starts it off and it bounces along jovially for the rest of the track. This song harkens back to Wilco's country roots. The guitar slides up and down in true country fashion. A discombobulated jam finishes off the track, guitars ringing with distortion. This song progresses interestingly, it does not even seem like the same track as it concludes.

"What Light" draws on Dylan heavily. Did I not know otherwise, I would swear the Bob penned it. Lyrically, the song touches on the topic of giving up what is yours and finding that common bond of man; the light inside of everyone. Musically, the track flows over a trebly guitar. It is tinned out and metallic. Really good track.

The last track, "On and On and On," really focuses the theme of the album. Lyrically, it expresses the sentiment of everlasting love.

"However short or long our lives are going to be, I will live in you and you will live in me."

Truly bittersweet, this song has the capacity to bring tears to the driest of eyes. Sad yet hopeful, it is an absolutely beautiful track. It leaves us with the message that we must do what we can to make it better. Exactly what "it" is is decided by the listener.

In total, this is a great album pressed in high quality. I believe most of the Nonesuch Wilco reissues are still in print and though the price points are kind of high, I would not hesitate to recommend them. With the release of The Whole Love, Wilco has once again reentered the collective unconsciousness. Lately I have heard them heralded as The Greatest Band in Modern Rock. While those are some huge shoes to fill, I think Wilco is capable. Their back catalog is without exception excellent and is a remarkable journey through their trials and tribulations as a band. Final verdict, buy it.

One last thing - I apologize for skipping a review yesterday. I had other pressing concerns that seemed more important than flexing my verbal and aural muscles for the benefit of a group of anonymous Internauts. I'll try not to make a habit of it. So far, I have reviewed albums from some of my favorite bands. Tomorrow I will review something that I either I do not know, or that I absolutely hate.

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