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. RonG
    May 15, 2007
    9
    Can not give a 10 because that is reserved for desert island albums. I would however keep SBS in my desert island ipod.
  2. bradb
    May 15, 2007
    10
    very nice. very nice indeed.
  3. thegarz
    May 14, 2007
    0
    the sound of a fat and happy band that has nothing more to say. bloated, boring, dull and lyrically pathetic. just a waste of time. 'sky blue sky' is a fitting title because the music is perfectly empty background fodder for the weather channel.
  4. jd
    May 14, 2007
    10
    LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. i can, however, see why some Wilco fans would not like this album. Its almost as if each track is a different music style. There are definitely some other influences running deep through a few tracks. I personally enjoy the new found structure, lyrical maturity, and over-all feel, of this blissful album.
  5. 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.
  6. ThomasE
    May 14, 2007
    8
    Nothing wrong with a bunch of nice songs.
  7. gordie
    May 14, 2007
    0
    Boring!!
  8. Eh?
    May 14, 2007
    1
    Jeff Tweedy needs to get back on the drugs
  9. TimothyK
    May 14, 2007
    9
    Sky Blue Sky, Wilco's latest album, displays the evolution Wilco has endured throughout their existence. Sky Blue Sky presents a cleaner, toned down sound but with Jeff Tweedy's eccentric voice still clear. This will be one of the top albums of the year.
  10. B-Dog
    May 14, 2007
    5
    Wilco is totally sucking on this record. They need to crank up the RAWK!!! Come on, Jeff, act like you got a pair!!
  11. AlT
    May 14, 2007
    10
    Every album is orignal and better, best band around today, easily.
  12. PeterC
    May 14, 2007
    9
    Brilliant! Tweedy sounds confident and relaxed. the songs have a gentle charm and fell as comopfrtable as a favorite shirt. A plaid flannel shirt, of course.
  13. BDub
    May 14, 2007
    9
    Will be one of my top ten from the year. I'm in the minority of people that like this more than their previous work. This is less experimental, which means it will be easier to get into. And it is for that reason that it will be reviewed poorly. All of the Indie fans that liked them before will be all up in arms over the fact that more people can listen to their music. Stupid. The Will be one of my top ten from the year. I'm in the minority of people that like this more than their previous work. This is less experimental, which means it will be easier to get into. And it is for that reason that it will be reviewed poorly. All of the Indie fans that liked them before will be all up in arms over the fact that more people can listen to their music. Stupid. The guitar work on this album is just awesome, YHF just put me to sleep. If you found yourself not really liking previous Wilco, i encourage you to give them one more try with this one. What the indie snobs don't like about this album will be what you will like.… Expand
  14. MadDog
    May 14, 2007
    6
    It pains me to give Wilco any score lower than an 8. I enjoy a nice acoustic set, or maybe just a song or two per album. This album starts out in a fairly promising manner, and carries a few other bright spots. All-in-all I found myself waiting to be rocked. Yes, bands need to evolve their sound to survive, but never at the cost of rocking the fans with you're uniques riffs and sweet It pains me to give Wilco any score lower than an 8. I enjoy a nice acoustic set, or maybe just a song or two per album. This album starts out in a fairly promising manner, and carries a few other bright spots. All-in-all I found myself waiting to be rocked. Yes, bands need to evolve their sound to survive, but never at the cost of rocking the fans with you're uniques riffs and sweet chorus'. Worth a listen, but borrow it from your impulsive Wilco-fanatic friend. Not worth the buy M dog… Expand
  15. MichaelS
    May 14, 2007
    4
    where are the songs???
  16. ThomasH
    May 14, 2007
    9
    Really solid album. Most immediate, 'adult'-sounding record Wilco has put out to date. Feels like waking up to the calm and clarity of the next morning following a series of nightmare's and complexities. Dirty-soul feels about right..Similar, perhaps in mood and form to the last R.E.M. album, but whereas directness and 'adult life' felt boring and archaic on Really solid album. Most immediate, 'adult'-sounding record Wilco has put out to date. Feels like waking up to the calm and clarity of the next morning following a series of nightmare's and complexities. Dirty-soul feels about right..Similar, perhaps in mood and form to the last R.E.M. album, but whereas directness and 'adult life' felt boring and archaic on 'Around The Sun', Wilco leaps forward into new terrain and creates a new landscape totally their own. Another leap forward America's foremost musical outfit.… Expand
  17. 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.
  18. Tom
    May 14, 2007
    4
    Rehab stints usually usher in fallow periods for musicians. Jeff Tweedy is no exception to this rule. He'll be back.
  19. 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.
  20. jon
    May 14, 2007
    3
    easily wilco's worst album. Is it too late to bring Jay Bennett back?
  21. GregD
    May 14, 2007
    6
    Well, this isn't another Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, but neither was A Ghost Is Born. But instead of displaying some variance from the tired soft rock formula like they did (in some places) on AGIB, there's a sense of defeat, self-pity, and sticking to the formula. The sort of lyrics that accompany self-pity would have been interesting for a couple of songs, but Tweedy has filled the Well, this isn't another Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, but neither was A Ghost Is Born. But instead of displaying some variance from the tired soft rock formula like they did (in some places) on AGIB, there's a sense of defeat, self-pity, and sticking to the formula. The sort of lyrics that accompany self-pity would have been interesting for a couple of songs, but Tweedy has filled the whole record with them - and made them boring altogether too much. In the meanwhile I'll keep waiting for Tweedy to make a record as interesting as Summerteeth.… Expand
  22. TomB
    May 14, 2007
    5
    Dull as dishwater.
  23. 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.
  24. 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.
  25. KumerKumer
    May 2, 2007
    10
    There
  26. KevinM
    Apr 27, 2007
    9
    This album may not be a step forward, but it is by no means a step backward. This is a very intimate album made by a band that, at this point, can do no wrong. I love this album.
  27. T.Speaker
    Apr 26, 2007
    8
    Many are going to be turned off by Sky Blue Sky's lack of experimentation, but the complexity and abundance of solid riffs makes it one of the best and most memorable records of 2006.
  28. KyleN
    Apr 26, 2007
    9
    It took a while, but I thought this ended up being a great album.
  29. CliffA
    Apr 25, 2007
    10
    Second to YHF but should become a classic
  30. BrendanD
    Apr 25, 2007
    10
    Yes, the sonic chances taken on Wilco's sixth album are more subtle, but calling it inconsequential, as some (I'm looking at you, Under The Radar) will, is far from fair. I'd say it's more a "breezy" record, similar in structure to Bob Dylan's "Desire" or the Beach Boys' "Friends," and sounding quite a bit like the Grateful Dead's "American Beauty." Now, Yes, the sonic chances taken on Wilco's sixth album are more subtle, but calling it inconsequential, as some (I'm looking at you, Under The Radar) will, is far from fair. I'd say it's more a "breezy" record, similar in structure to Bob Dylan's "Desire" or the Beach Boys' "Friends," and sounding quite a bit like the Grateful Dead's "American Beauty." Now, there are those who will complain that each of those records represented a band that immediately went downhill (or was on the way down already), but I disagree. "Desire" is one of Dylan's most affecting records; "Friends" is a fabulous piece of weirdo-obscuro post-acid pop; and "American Beauty" was one of two great studio records the Dead made. As for "Sky Blue Sky," it starts off on a surprise note: the understated, sumblime "Either Way," a song that, upon first glance, does indeed seem inconsequential, with its folky, '70s-sounding electric guitar and flattened-out drums. It's not, though; how often do you hear a band come out of the woodwork not with a roar but with a chuckle? The band is loose, having fun. This album wasn't a chore to make like their most celebrated record, "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot," and neither was it an attempt to take that experimentation a step further, as was "A Ghost is Born." No, "Sky Blue Sky" is an open-set jam, a group of guys who play well together hanging out and coming up with some sweet, sweet melodies. Sure, the messages aren't as depressing as previous records; and yes, alt.country fans aren't going to be happy that the band has come up with its first-ever unabashed country song ("What Light," which recalls, most surprisingly, "Grand Ole Opry" type country) or their jammier stuff ("Impossible Germany," "Side with the Seeds"). But there is other stuff on here that you're not going to get out of your head. "Walken" is a perfect jam-pop tune; "You Are My Face" sounds like the Autumn Defense interpreting the Chamber Strings. Here's the deal, though: don't download/listen to individual tracks. It doesn't work like that. This is an album's album, a record that doesn't work unless each song is heard in its particular place. Listen to it several times while you're driving around whilst the sun shines down on you. You won't be disappointed, and you might even feel kind of good.… Expand
  31. StevenG
    Apr 23, 2007
    10
    Awesome album from Chicago's finest rock band. Impossible Germany and Walken are two of their best recordings....ever!
  32. molo
    Apr 21, 2007
    6
    Fans of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot or Summerteeth will be very dissapointed with this one. While A Ghost is Born was not a step forward by any means, Sky Blue Sky serves as an all out step backwards to Being There. But, Being There was better. When the album works, and sometimes it really does, the experience is mellowing. But, the middle of the album lacks. I found the album dissapointing, but Fans of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot or Summerteeth will be very dissapointed with this one. While A Ghost is Born was not a step forward by any means, Sky Blue Sky serves as an all out step backwards to Being There. But, Being There was better. When the album works, and sometimes it really does, the experience is mellowing. But, the middle of the album lacks. I found the album dissapointing, but some Wilco listeners might like it. Just don't expect a creative and innovative release like their previous three. Because innovative this ain't.… Expand
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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 »