Sky Blue Sky
by Wilco
  • Record Label: Nonesuch
  • Release Date: May 15, 2007
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 213 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 177 out of 213
  2. Mixed: 25 out of 213
  3. Negative: 11 out of 213

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  1. jon
    May 14, 2007
    3
    easily wilco's worst album. Is it too late to bring Jay Bennett back?
  2. brianf
    May 18, 2007
    8
    I've been listening to this on their website for a while, and heard a few of the songs done live on bootlegs for over a year. Didn't especially get into some of it, but had especially enjoyed Impossible Germany and Walken. I thought the cd as a whole seemed too mellow, not at all like AGIB or YHF, so kind of a letdown. But I also hadn't listened to it start to finish at one I've been listening to this on their website for a while, and heard a few of the songs done live on bootlegs for over a year. Didn't especially get into some of it, but had especially enjoyed Impossible Germany and Walken. I thought the cd as a whole seemed too mellow, not at all like AGIB or YHF, so kind of a letdown. But I also hadn't listened to it start to finish at one time. Just got the cd in the mail yesterday, it came with a dvd which I first watched. Today I put the cd in and listened to it through headphones start to finish. As someone commented previously, it sounds great as a whole, for me that's somewhat how YHF was too. Not all songs seem to stand on their own, but as an entire cd it all works.… Expand
  3. matta
    May 21, 2007
    7
    I'm glad this score has gone down a little. Really, it doesn't deserve to be in the same ballpark as A Ghost Is Born (and certainly not Summer Teeth or Yankee Hotel Foxtrot). It is solid, but not great. I feel like some reviews I've seen have given good marks just because it is Wilco, and on the flipside, some critics have been extra harsh because it is not as good as their I'm glad this score has gone down a little. Really, it doesn't deserve to be in the same ballpark as A Ghost Is Born (and certainly not Summer Teeth or Yankee Hotel Foxtrot). It is solid, but not great. I feel like some reviews I've seen have given good marks just because it is Wilco, and on the flipside, some critics have been extra harsh because it is not as good as their last three albums. Just taking it on its own merits, and not comparing it to past work, it is, like I said, good but not great.… Expand
  4. MikefromMaine
    May 20, 2007
    9
    Finally, the Wilco album that delivers on the promise of AM and Being There. While all that experimenting did produce some fine albums, everything from Summerteeth up until now, seemed to lack the emotion of their first two collections. Sky Blue Sky delivers simple and honest emotion mixed in with some occasional interesting instrumentation to produce the album that Jeff Tweedy was Finally, the Wilco album that delivers on the promise of AM and Being There. While all that experimenting did produce some fine albums, everything from Summerteeth up until now, seemed to lack the emotion of their first two collections. Sky Blue Sky delivers simple and honest emotion mixed in with some occasional interesting instrumentation to produce the album that Jeff Tweedy was destined to make. And the Nels Cline lead and lap steel guitar work really tops it all off. Maybe I am a biased early Wilco (and UT) fan, but this could be their finest hour.… Expand
  5. jay
    May 6, 2007
    10
    Wilco is back and feeling comfortable about playing music. Great music. The Band. The Beatles. Pure songs with guidance and strength. Sky Blue Sky is the calm after the storm of searching....and I am glad this is the result. Sounds like home to me.
  6. JuanF.
    Feb 10, 2008
    10
    Is simple, beautiful, intelligent, all great songs. I think is the mayor Wilco album. Just listen songs like on and on and withe light.
  7. PabloG
    Oct 30, 2007
    10
    I love this record. Wilco's beautiful collaboration in sound truly reflects a vision unique to those who know the hard times in life, but stand firm in hope. This album takes me. Thank you Wilco.
  8. KyleW
    May 14, 2007
    10
    This is a Wilco album for fans who have been there from the beginning. A delicious ode to roots rock that shold be digested by music lovers of any age.
  9. AB
    May 14, 2007
    4
    An inoffensive album ready for play in elevators, this is no "Being There." Though my enthusiasm for Wilco has consistently waned since 1997, this is the first time I've regretted spending my money on the band.
  10. GregB
    May 14, 2007
    10
    You have to give this one time, no question. It is not going to reach out and grab you at first. But when you hit the right number of listens and the little buttons start to get pushed in your brain, you'll find that this is a breathtakingly beautiful and soulful record. I get chills everytime I listen to it now. Brilliant.
  11. JohnE
    May 15, 2007
    1
    Really boring and generic sounding record. Son Volt's "The Search" is far superior.
  12. MikeW
    May 15, 2007
    6
    A dissapointingly dry Wilco album. Devoid of the lyrical complexity and atonal expirements of days past. This is Wilco airbrushed and pressure cleaned for mass consumption. Being the best band in America, there are still some gems on this record. However, the gems sit next to some of Tweedy's worst lyrics (Maybe you love me, maybe you don't), and the band's most boring A dissapointingly dry Wilco album. Devoid of the lyrical complexity and atonal expirements of days past. This is Wilco airbrushed and pressure cleaned for mass consumption. Being the best band in America, there are still some gems on this record. However, the gems sit next to some of Tweedy's worst lyrics (Maybe you love me, maybe you don't), and the band's most boring arrangements since their debut. Only Tweedy's gift for melody makes this album bareable; and he does treat us to some melodic goodies; The American Beauty-esque "What Light", the hypnotic piano ballad "On and On and On", and the lazy day hammock folk of "Either Way". This is the first time In their career Wilco has been entertainment; nothing more nothing less. This album is nice for disposable nap time music, or sunny day in the park, but ultimately it is too weak to be ranked with the bands past classics like Summer Teeth and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.… Expand
  13. [Anonymous]
    May 16, 2007
    9
    Phenomenal album. It is different from Ghost and YHF, but that is what they needed. They carried over the sound from Kicking Television and put it into album form. Yes, it is more chill, but still the songs are great. Not too big of a fan of "what light" but love the rest. If you can only check out one, "Impossible Germany" is awesome.
  14. cables
    May 16, 2007
    9
    A brilliant departure from the experimentalism that bogged down parts of "a ghost is born". It recalls the pop glow of summerteeth with an added bit of maturity.
  15. steve
    May 16, 2007
    9
    gorgeous guitar work, this album will grown on you with listenings, short attention spans will find it troublesome, they have mastered their craft.
  16. TomJ.
    May 16, 2007
    8
    I've been a Wilco fan for 10 years and this band has sent me on a roller coaster of a ride through alt.country, Beatlesque pop, and noisy post-rock. I can honestly say I wasn't prepared for an album like "Sky Blue Sky". But after just one listen, not only did I identify it as a collection of Wilco songs, but an "album", a cohesive musical statement. It's hard to make a I've been a Wilco fan for 10 years and this band has sent me on a roller coaster of a ride through alt.country, Beatlesque pop, and noisy post-rock. I can honestly say I wasn't prepared for an album like "Sky Blue Sky". But after just one listen, not only did I identify it as a collection of Wilco songs, but an "album", a cohesive musical statement. It's hard to make a texturally scaled-down record such as this without great songs underneath. I must admit; after pouring over the two Loose Fur records, I really wanted to hear Glen Kotche come out a little more on this record. But the songs didn't call for it, and the performance of all the musicians proves the band understands that no one member is more important than the song. The record sounds truly effortless, like a band getting together playing the songs they like with people they like. Nothing is forced. Some say it's Wilco showing it's age; I think it's Wilco showing their incredibly tasteful musical abilities and the spirit of a collective that can survive all the guff and criticism this industry can dish out. Where do they go from here? I have no clue. Then again, I've never been able to answer this question and I'm never disappointed in the end.… Expand
  17. SteveVW
    May 2, 2007
    7
    A couple misses, but overall a great summertime record, breezy and fun. Seems effortless, which mean a whole lot of effort was likely put into these songs. Not a deep, "important" record by any means, but its importance may just lie in its simple charm. Its only rock and roll, but I like it.
  18. DaveC.
    May 20, 2007
    9
    This album reminds me of Dylan's domestic turn with New Morning - not so much in its style, but in its imagery from the ordinary responsibilities of life in your 30's and 40's. It's not as dark and tormented as the Yankee and Ghost albums, but SBS is a beautiful addition to the Wilco cannon.
  19. KumerKumer
    May 2, 2007
    10
    There
  20. yourmom
    Jun 12, 2007
    9
    well crafted music..... It's hard not be pleased. Although i find it to be one small step back from A Ghost Is Born.
  21. Adrian
    Jun 17, 2007
    8
    Not as experimental as their previous efforts but a solid effort none the less. Everything has been simplified and we're back to the alt-country roots ... love and loss
  22. GarthG
    Jun 20, 2007
    10
    Absolutely Awesome in its Beauty, Simplicity and Complexity! A classic that just grows and grows on you!
  23. Walton
    Jun 7, 2007
    9
    Sky Blue Sky lacks the astonishing diversity of Being There or the experimental flair of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Yet it contains some terrific songs. Both Impossible Germany and Walken are among the very best numbers in Wilco live shows. And for the sentimental, Please Be Patient With Me is very touching. The best thing about Sky Blue Sky is that it is a unique addition to the Wilco/Tweedy Sky Blue Sky lacks the astonishing diversity of Being There or the experimental flair of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Yet it contains some terrific songs. Both Impossible Germany and Walken are among the very best numbers in Wilco live shows. And for the sentimental, Please Be Patient With Me is very touching. The best thing about Sky Blue Sky is that it is a unique addition to the Wilco/Tweedy repertoire.… Expand
  24. JohnP
    Jun 9, 2007
    9
    Apparently effortless and deceptively simple, as are all manifestations of brilliance.
  25. IlyaR
    Jul 19, 2007
    6
    "Impossible Germany" sums up the album pretty well: accessible, attractive riff and lyrics quirky and cryptic enough to be really good. But it's just not worth multiple listens.
  26. SteveS
    Jul 19, 2007
    1
    It's crap.
  27. ChrisB
    Jul 2, 2007
    8
    The indie-hipster rejection of Sky Blue Sky puts a spotlight on the hypocrisy and shallowness of much of the movement. Take the same album, throw in some electric background noise and a few not-quite-cohesive off-harmonies, the same people trashing it would be calling it album of the year. Sky Blue Sky is a solid album full of a lot of extremely strong guitar riffs and overall good The indie-hipster rejection of Sky Blue Sky puts a spotlight on the hypocrisy and shallowness of much of the movement. Take the same album, throw in some electric background noise and a few not-quite-cohesive off-harmonies, the same people trashing it would be calling it album of the year. Sky Blue Sky is a solid album full of a lot of extremely strong guitar riffs and overall good songwriting. It's not as good as Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, but what is?… Expand
  28. TonyG.
    Jul 2, 2007
    5
    what a pain! total lack of inspiration, sonic interest, songs. nels cline solo, somewhere on the 1st song, is marking the end of the album. and, probably, of wilco's career. too bad to be true.
  29. Felix
    Jul 6, 2007
    6
    Disappointing; there are only about 3-4 songs worth listening to.
  30. JaimeP.
    Jul 8, 2007
    10
    best music of the century, so far. A few seconds of Either way or impossible germany are much worthwhile than the f*** discography of truly boring groops, i.e U2, !!! or those monkeys in antarctica
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Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Most Discussed Album of 2007
50
#50 Most Shared Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 38 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 38
  3. Negative: 1 out of 38
  1. Amazon.com
    70
    It's certainly the group's most cohesive album in ages.
    Read full review
  2. Under The Radar
    50
    A very professional but almost inconsequential set... flat and ultimately uninspired. [#17, p.88]
  3. Observer Music Monthly
    80
    The closer you listen to the jazzy guitars, Beatles touches and easy, shuffling rhythms ... the more it transpires that Tweedy is simply allowing the songs sufficient room to speak up for themselves.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »