Although Sky Blue Sky is their sixth full-length studio record, it wasn't long ago that I hadn't actually heard of Wilco, and thus their stellar reputation was something I hadn't quite expected. The album's superbly striking artwork told me to expect some frosty post-rock atmospherics, but I was pleasantly underwhelmed by the clear-headed (but not quite sunny) alt-rock that didn't seem to contradict the name of the record.
Within about five seconds of opening track "Either Way" it became quite clear what type of album this was going to be: an indie movie soundtrack. When the electric organ reared its head, it was almost necessary to check that this wasn't actually taken from Napoleon Dynamite. Unbeknownst to me however, Wilco simply seem to be rather saucy when it comes to musical stylings, and on this level there's a lot to be said for Sky Blue Sky.
Within the apparent minimalism of its sound there exists a proliferation of exotic musical instruments, from the glockenspiel to the mellotron, none of which are used in a particularly overt fashion, which is perhaps a good thing, although the use of lap steel on the title track is rather lovely. Jeff Tweedy's voice is interesting too. All at once it recalls the detachment of Elliott Smith, the fragility of Isaac Brock and the twang of Jack White, but like a mouthful of Skittles, it's difficult to appreciate any sense of distinctiveness.
From the familiar homeliness of "Walken" to the dusty highway-surfery of "Impossible Germany," it's sometimes equally difficult to get a fix on exactly what kind of album Wilco have tried to make. They can certainly write a decent song, but while slow-burning harmonies take precedence one minute, the next we're being treated to silly guitar solos straight from a Toto b-side. You can almost hear the orchestra shuffling behind the curtain.
Midway through the record, "Shake it Off" presents a frustratingly repetitive and lengthy procedure of a song that long-time fans will probably enjoy; the promising start descending into a case of Tweedy jauntily repeating the words "Shake it off / I'm gonna shake it off / Gonna shake it off" ad nauseum; something that might be cool if it actually seemed to mean anything. In a concert setting this process will invariably last a good two hours. Aforementioned album opener "Either Way" almost completely redeems any wrongdoing felt, however, and although its incredible simplicity makes it feel completely wrong to praise it so, it's one of the best tracks I've heard this year.
Maybe it really is a case of unwarranted expectations, but when the talent that Wilco have for crafting beautiful, folk-rock songs is plainly evident in the case of tracks like the wonderful "Please be Patient with Me," it raises an eyebrow or two when CD space is allocated to music that, whilst forcing a degree of diversity, compromises the record as a whole. Clearly deep into their career, Wilco really are a rare breed in that they really seem not to give a damn how they are perceived, the intention and message of the music being as clear and honest as they come. Sky Blue Sky wasn't quite the fastball I was expecting, although sometimes while listening to the closing track "On and On and On" - Weezer-like in its broken-hearted coolness - something will hit me deep in my stomach and I'll wonder if there isn't something more to this band.
