(Photo Credit - Sammy Tweedy)
Advance Review - Jeff Tweedy: Love is The King (October 23, 2020)
Jeff Tweedy is back with another solo venture, his first since 2018's WARM. This time, Tweedy teamed up with sons Spencer and Sammy to record this effort in The Loft in Chicago. Rather than creating an album that is in response to the anxiety and fear of everything going on with the COVID-19 pandemic, Love is the King is a more introspective work. One that at the same time is inviting for those that seek refuge from what ails them.
Dressed in Tweedy's signature alt-country style, Love is The King is a masterclass of sonic fusion of genres. No one does it quite like Tweedy, and he once again proves why he's one of the best in the game, even after all these years of Wilco music and solo projects. Tweedy paints the canvas that is Love is the King with acoustic melodies, electric leads, accompanied by his masterful songwriting and distinct vocal style. The soloing on this album was done through a broken Echoplex that at times needed coaxing. The result is a distinct sound that has shades of Wilco, but stands distinguished on it's own. He gives a little of everything on this album, slowing things down when he needs to get the point across and speeding it up when it suits him.
Look it, we can all admit that 2020 has been a hell of a year. It's exposed much of what's wrong with this country and the world. However, what Tweedy is able to accomplish on Love is the King is masterclass. He exposes the nerve of human suffering for all to see and leaves it all on the track like only he can. What's abundantly clear is that this album, while not a direct response to 2020 does grapple with a lot of the fears and anxieties that we can struggle with every day. And that is just what the doctor ordered for this year. So put some coffee on, sit back and enjoy the ride. Jeff Tweedy takes the listener on a journey of introspection on Love is the King and I'm all for it. Highly recommend, this is must listen stuff.
Rating - 5/5