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Sacrificing none of their self-effacement in their pursuit of a more emotionally direct style, WHY? have stumbled upon something uniquely personal yet utterly commercial.
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Why? the person always had unique ideas, but, for the first time, Why? the band complements these thoughts and feelings with consistency, creating an accessible, exciting and complete work.
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Does it work? Of course it works.
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Alternative PressWolf's delivery is more restrained as he refrains from his usual outbursts of energy. [Oct 2009, p.115]
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Eskimo Snow is the stronger set and a significant step forward for the band.
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Q MagazineWhy? always had the brains, now they've located their heart. [Nov 2009, p.115]
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Why?’s ability to write so prolifically, that holds Eskimo Snow together. It keeps us looking forward to what the collective will present us with next, even if the quality of Yoni Wolf's vocals are up for debate.
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Eskimo Snow simply categorizes those words in a bit more careful, less adventurous fashion than Wolf and company have revealed before. While this latest release is quite literally the second side of the same coin (or recording session), it feels flatter.
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The understated songs are the most memorable here (and the least Why?-like), and it sort of makes me wish the rockier material were shelved so that the whole album could be tailored to this mood of graceful resignation.
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Alopecia and Eskimo Snow may be classic examples of beautiful, expressive sad-sackery, but I hope Wolf realizes that there are colors in the rainbow other than black and blue.
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At only ten songs, it hasn’t the broadness of past, but it is possibly their most cohesive record. Consistency may rarely outrank greatness in order of virtues but if there’s an argument to be made, it’s perhaps found here.
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There are moments on indie folksters Why?’s fourth album that propel you into a state of emotional bliss.... [But] Eskimo Snow isn’t immune from the odd blooper, however.
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Eskimo Snow just feels like the right kind of album for an incredibly gifted and increasingly prolific band like WHY? to release as a quick palate cleanser, reaching an endpoint of a certain sound rather than trying to top its predecessor's unmatchable extremities.
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With lyrics clever and humorously crude, frontman Yoni Wolf has shown he can make good music from many states of mind, but Eskimo Snow needs sharper focus.
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Though not as readily exciting as "Alopecia," Eskimo Snow is more accessible without compromising.
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The second half of the album is much more consistent if you still feel like listening, but beyond a spare moment or two (“This Blackest Purse” is surprisingly touching), most of Eskimo Snow is easily surpassed by other songs from Why?’s catalogue.
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Under The RadarFor some, Wolf's gloomy musing will come across as just plain depressing, but there's enough gallow humor and tumult to keep it noteworthy. [Fall 2009, p.68]
User score distribution:
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Positive: 13 out of 15
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Mixed: 1 out of 15
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Negative: 1 out of 15
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Oct 10, 2012
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LeahT.Sep 27, 2009