SUKIERAE

Jeff Tweedy is the epitome of a cult star. He and his band have become the darlings of the hipster crowd. His band's records get rave reviews (except for Pitchfork...what's up with those guys?). He tours to sell out crowds in moderate sized halls. And he makes some of the most interesting records EVER. He will never be a teen heart throb. He will probably never become a household name. He'll never have Hollywood starlets hanging on his arm. He'll never be a superstar. And I imagine he's fine with that. Mr. Tweedy has been writing perfect pop jewels since his days with Uncle Tupelo, and stands as one of the preeminent songwriters of the third wave. For my money, he ranks with Dylan, Cohen, Springsteen and Young as one of the finest (North) American songwriters of the modern era. Not only does he have the best working band in the World (Wilco); not only does he have some of the coolest production credits (Mavis Staples...are you freaking KIDDING ME?!); and the coolest music 'journalist' tropes around, (rising from the ashes of Uncle Tupelo...getting dropped by WB before producing one of the records of the early part of the Century...going through rehab and emerging with the second best record of the early Century). Not only does he have all of the above for his resume...he has formed a band with his SON. Damn...he's living the life. This is not an album of rock ravers, it is heavily influenced by the health trauma his wife is experiencing and is a deeply personal record. But it is not an album of despair or fear. It is a record of introspection. Where his best work has often dealt with the disconnect between emotion and action, this one is a rumination of love, mortality and being engaged. I know that the fanboys will throw around superlatives, but this one is deserving of superlatives. It's grown up music meant to be hears and head more than once. For my money Mr. Tweedy belongs in any conversation with Dylan, Cohen, Springsteen and Young. This record is not a vanity project and is not a stop gap until the next Wilco record. It is a statement of purpose and a record of a fine songwriter at the top of his game.

Full disclosure: I am a Jeff Tweedy (and Wilco) fan. Huge fan of virtually everything they have released dating back to his Uncle Tupelo days. That being said, this album wasn't what I was expecting and am so pleasantly surprised. Just sit back and trust the experience. This album is difficult to categorize but think 'Wilco meets Jazz meets The Beta Band.' (look them up if you get the chance) Anyway, this is a wonderfully and beautifully disjointed experience that blends and spins a sonic tapestry that is, collectively, wonderful. And I think it's really, really cool he made this album with his son - and it shows. The percussion looms and gently leads many of the best songs.

Let me state right out I am a big Jeff Tweedy fan and a big fan of Wilco. That will color my review to a degree. I like the album, but it does not have the Wilco oomph to it. That said, it is a good album. It reminds me more of Uncle Tupelo that Wilco and that is never a bad thing. It is a little more folksy.

I have not played an album over and over again this much since Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. The album is complex, interesting, and thoroughly enjoyable. I think I appreciate it all the more because I was lucky enough to catch Tweedy at the State Theater in Ithaca, NY at the end of September. I can visualize Jeff Tweedy and drummer son Spencer playing these tunes... and without a doubt, I fell in love with a drummer. The melodies, lyrics and drumming are all great.

Good, solid, non-essential music from one of the best songwriters of the 21st century. I love Jeff Tweedy, and the Wilco albums from "Being There" through "Sky Blue Sky" are some of my favorites of all time. This solo album with Spencer on drums is solid if completely non-essential. Some of it reminds me of "Wilco [the album]," which was written almost entirely by Tweedy alone following the very collaborative "Sky Blue Sky." Completist fans will need to have this and it's perfectly pleasant, but if you're just digging into the world of Jeff Tweedy, start with any Wilco album, Uncle Tupelo, or even the first Golden Smog record. Those contain the essential stuff, whereas "Sukierae" is really for committed fans.

I purchased this one in part to a review I read here stating that this was Jeff's "White Album". That really caught my eye and after listening, I agree! Just looking at the cover photos I gather that his decision to include his self in various "life stages" and then, listening to this lp, I can confidently assume that Jeff feels this work embodies all of who he is and his life's work until now. If your a fan of any of his former bands, work, you need to pick this one up! Artist 5 stars Content 5 Stars Sonics 4.5 stars

If you're a Wilco fan and don't have this record, get it immediately. These are essential Tweedy songs -- many instantly memorable -- and the performances are excellent. I found this far more satisfying than the 4 CD Wilco 'outtakes' box set (Alpha Mike Foxtrot), simply because there's no filler or self-indulgence here.

Surpassed my expectations. A double album that flows seamlessly. Jeff Tweedy is one of the most sincere songwriters around. A nice psychedelic vibe driven by son Spencer's percussion with lyrics both poignant and bittersweet. Listened to it non stop for first few weeks and will continue to listen to it frequently.

In a word - Fantastic! A generous serving of Jeff Tweedy compositions, spread across four sides of vinyl. This album offers a variety of themes, flavours and textures, and the running order was explicitly laid out with a vinyl presentation in mind. Superb pressing and packaging quality, with an enclosed CD for portable listening, and shipped in its own jacket cover. As well, a quality debut for Jeff's son, Spencer, on drums who performs admirably. He's definitely learned a thing or two hanging around Wilco's Glenne Kotche.

Sukierae ist eine herausragend gute Platte, die einige Hörer allerdings anscheinend zu befremdlichen Vergleichen zu animieren scheint. Darum vielleicht noch eine Meinung: 1. Nein, die Platte klingt NICHT nach Led Zeppelin, ich kann aber verstehen, woher die Idee kommt: (a) "World Away" ist in seiner ganzen Art eine so offene Hommage an Zep (oder noch eher an Page und Bonham irgendwo zwischen III und IV), dass man von "Ähnlichkeit" nur bedingt sprechen kann. (b) Spencer Tweedy hat sich seine Impulse ganz offensichtlich da geholt, wo auch Bonzo sie her hatte, nämlich aus dem spät-60er Soul, und bevorzugt einen sehr offenen Schlagzeugsound. 2. Die Songs sind tatsächlich sehr vielschichtig. Dass das Album keine Geschlossenheit aufweist, trifft aber aus meiner Sicht überhaupt nicht zu. Aus irgendwelchen Gründen muss ich die ganze Zeit an Youngs "After the Gold Rush" denken -- da reihen sich in ähnlicher Weise und Qualität 3/4-Country-Waltzes an Andersartigkeiten jeglicher Couleur. 3. Mann, ist Tweedy ein Sänger. 4. Mann, ist Tweedy ein Gitarrist (das hat man länger nicht so intensiv hören können). 5. Mann, ist Tweedy ein Songwriter. 6. Mann, ist Tweedy ein Produzent. Es sind gerade die vielen kleinen nicht gerade gebügelten Unebenheiten (z. B. die wunderbar schnarrende Gitarre rechts auf "I'll never know") die Sukierae ein geradezu unheimliches Gefühl von Intimität und Authenzität verleihen. 7. Die Platte klingt hervorragend (die Pressung ist auch OK, Platte zwei leicht wellig, aber geht), aber das nur nebenbei. 8. Was muss man für eine Stärke mitbringen, um aus einer solchen Situation etwas so Wunderschönes zu machen.

Well, Sukierae is certainly worth getting! I think the songwriting is mainly good to excellent and the sound is varied especially given the sparse instrumentation. It has a lived in, kind of woozy quality at times - in a good way. And lyrically it's never less than absorbing with elements of love, loss and emotional ambiguity.

Sehr gute Scheibe, ich bin begeistert ist anders als Wilco aber sehr abwechslungsreich. Lege gerade Seite c auf vorher die CD gehört aber Vinyl ist einfach ein Genuß . Er ist und bleibt ein Ausnahme Künstler . Jeff spricht wirklich die verschiedensten Sinne an. Leider schaffe ich es nicht ihn 2014 zu sehen. Klare Kaufempfehlung vor allem für Vinyl bei dem tollen Preis.

Different from Wilco but excellent none the less. I love Jeff's bass tone and playing, and the production is gorgeous.