Jeff Tweedy – WARM
Release Date: November 30, 2018 via dBpm Records
27 November 2018
Jeff Tweedy has a way of telling a story. It’s not just lyrics. It’s also the inflection in his voice when he delivers those lyrics. The truth is, I believe him. Every. Damn. Word.
Tweedy’s latest solo album, WARM, is eleven tracks of non-stop songwriting genius. There are songs that bleed classic Jeff Tweedy. Like the acoustic guitar led album opener, Bombs Above. Accompanied with a pleasant country infused lead guitar. I love Tweedy’s Beatles-esque vocals. Another example of the sound I referred to earlier, is the song, How Hard Is It For A Desert To Die. This is a song I’m anxious to see Jeff play in a live setting. Its slow pace and somber toned vocals combined with an optimistic ‘A7’ chord before the verses, get me every time.
Then there is the classic Wilco sound. Of course being the singer/songwriter for Wilco, it’s going to have that feel. But what I mean is, that these few songs would feel right at home on any Wilco record. For example, the second track, Some Birds, will get you shuffling right out of your seat. I absolutely love the second harmony vocal track that feels off on its own plain but is so important to the song.
Another example of the Wilco sound is, I Know What It’s Like. Brilliant songwriting all around on this song, both musically and lyrically. There is a lot going on here and I’ve enjoyed trying to break through everything on this song. Put your headphones on, watch and enjoy this one.
Then, there are the songs that show up in the Jeff Tweedy repertoire that invoke a different emotion from me. The Red Brick is one of those special songs that I’d put on a playlist with Bull Black Nova and marvel at it’s uniqueness and badassery. I feel like we get one of these on every record and this is the one on this album. Probably won’t be a single but it is without a doubt my favorite track on WARM.
The closing song, How Will I Find You, is a perfect finale for this album. You get a taste of everything the record has to offer. Warm acoustic guitars, vocals from the depth, a lead guitar that feels reversed and out of sync at times, sort of like Tweedy’s extraordinary songwriting. And when the drums come in, it’s a great payoff. The time that you invested listening to the album does not let you down at the end. In fact, I would say it is one of my favorite tracks. Plus.. it has a nice fade out. Don’t be afraid of the fade. Perfect end to the record.
Jeff Tweedy fans should be very happy with his latest offering. It’s a great listen all the way through. So I would suggest making it a priority on the 30th.
8.5/10
-Tommy Marz
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WARM Tracklist:
01. Bombs Above
02. Some Birds
03. Don’t Forget
04. How Hard It Is For a Desert to Die
05. Let’s Go Rain
06. From Far Away
07. I Know What It’s Like
08. Having Been Is No Way to Be
09. The Red Brick
10. Warm (When the Sun Has Died)
11. How Will I Find You
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