WILCO

'Sky Blue Sky'

I've appreciated the evolution of Wilco's sound from album to album, mostly because each has (until now) been a significant departure from it's predecessor...constantly challenging your own musical scope as a listener to stay with them wherever they've decided to take you. 'Sky Blue Sky', however, initially hit me as a severely toned down version of their last release. After both 'AM' and 'Being There', I liked the sharp turn into the addition of power pop on Summerteeth...the experimental noise exploration on top of that via 'Yankee Hotel Foxtrot'...the more organic instrumentalization/production on 'A Ghost is Born'...then, versus any sort of re-invention, we get sort of a continuance instead.

It's not that I don't like it or think that an artist must re-invent their sound w/ every new release, I just don't feel that challenged by it. To note, I wasn't quite in tune w/ 'AGIB' when it came out, but it held my interest enough to want and try and understand it...until it finally clicked seeing the songs live at the 1st shows Jeff Tweedy did w/ the current line-up of the band @ Otto's in Dekalb, IL prior to that album's release. 'SBS'...well, it sounds really, really, REALLY nice but there isn't that much else to dig into. You hear it once and you pretty much catch everything going on.

However, there are some interesting thematic changes from 'AGIB' to 'SBS' lyrically. Where 'AGIB' could be interpreted as someone struggling w/ a slight identity crisis and definition of one's overall place in life (which he was)...'SBS' seems to be based upon finally finding some level of self-awareness and comfortability w/ who you are/where you're at. For fans (like myself) who really study Tweedy's lyrics, that's where you'll find the progression from the last album to this one. While it's kind of cool and he's still at the top of his game lyrically, it will likely be lost to the casual or first-time listener.

Granted, i'll have to continue to spin it...definitely see some of these tunes come off live...maybe something will unfold. I'd go back to any one of the previous 4 releases to illustrate my love for this band. Right now, i'll just say I enjoy it even though it's the first time since 'AM' I feel like i'm listening to something by Wilco that is really well-done, but not at all that extraordinary.

Me, Myself and You(Tube)

Another good find on YouTube...the video press kit for De La's '3 Ft. High & Rising.' Brings me back...and check out the HI-TOP FADE-CUT MADNESS!!!

Let Them Eat Cake

Sorry for the lag in anything to read, true-believers! February was insanely busy w/ a bunch of new products at work and (a lot more fun) MY BOYS TURNING A YEAR OLD!!! That's right, a full 365 days and they are still in near-mint condition.

We had decent sized party w/ friends and family alike at a bar/restaurant called Durty Nellie's in Palatine. Nellie's used to a be a total dive hole-in-the-wall we would, in our much younger days, go to see bands play as we sweat our asses off in the over-crowded, closet sized 'music room'. Time passed...giant condos and row homes erupted from the earth in downtown Palatine...Nellie's closed their original location and re-opened as a huge restaurant/bar/state-of-the-art music venue. So, as we enjoyed a few pints of one of the gazillion micro brew/imports they have on hand while children squirmed around on our laps, we all had to laugh how times have most definitely changed.

Anyhow, everything went great...even though, after almost a full 12 months of barely a runny nose between them, Logan came down w/ a cough/fever thing that kind of took him off of his game. They got tons of cool gifts, including their first real lace-up shoes...suede PUMAS (red & white and black & white, respectively). They played around w/ the cool cake their mom had made for them and were absolutely wrecked by the time they hit the crib that evening. In the few weeks that have followed, they continue to change before our eyes...a lot of 'talking' and no walking yet, but confidently moving from one piece of furniture to the other. Owen has also developed an ear for music and will go all Beat Street when he hears it...the kid has moves. Logan, will now greet me when I come home from work w/ a big 'HIYYYEEEE!' and a wave of his chubby little hand. They rule and I love them dearly.

So, I do have some stuff to post up with soon...how about reviews of the upcoming RJD2, Wilco and Modest Mouse releases? More goodies from YouTube surfing? A few book reviews? Six-demon bag?! I promise not so long of a lag this time...unless either of the two midgets currently residing in my house decide to walk on their own accord. Peace!