Album: The Sky Is Too High

Introduction
"The Sky Is Too High" is the debut solo album by Graham Coxon, released in 1998. Coxon, who is popular as the guitarist of the British rock band Blur, took a break from the group to work on his own product, showcasing his skills as a musician, singer, and songwriter. He played almost all of the instruments on the album, which includes a mix of acoustic, folk, and experimental music styles.

Background and Production
Graham Coxon had currently established himself as a vital part of Blur's special noise, contributing distinctive guitar riffs and textures to their music. Nevertheless, by the late '90s, stress within the band resulted in Coxon looking for an innovative outlet beyond the group. In January 1998, during Blur's hiatus, he began working on his solo job, recording "The Sky Is Too High" at different locations, including London's Matrix Studios, and his own bed room using a 4-track tape recorder.

Coxon produced the album himself and was responsible for composing, making up, and carrying out the majority of the material featured on the record. The raw, stripped-down production offered the album a feeling of intimacy and seriousness, permitting Coxon's vulnerability and talent to shine through.

Music and Lyricism
"The Sky Is Too High" checks out a variety of musical styles, varying from delicate folk tunes to speculative and louder rock tracks. The acoustic guitar acts as a main focus throughout, but the album likewise features piano, harmonica, drums, and a variety of other instruments played by Coxon. The impact of artists such as Bert Jansch, Syd Barrett, and the Velvet Underground appears in both the music and the lyrics.

Coxon's lyrics in this album look into topics such as seclusion, introspection, dependency, and the appeal of nature. For instance, "In a Salty Sea" presents vivid imagery of the ocean as a metaphor for feeling adrift and lost in one's own feelings, while "R U Lonely?" addresses the theme of self-examination. Other standout tracks consist of "That's When I Reach for My Revolver", a cover of the 1981 tune by American alternative rock band Mission of Burma, and the haunting "I Wish", in which Coxon questions the nature of success and happiness.

Critical Reception
Upon its release, "The Sky Is Too High" got mixed evaluations from critics. Some applauded Coxon's capability to get out of the shadow of Blur and produce a special and diverse noise, while others discovered the album rather unfocused and lacking cohesion. Regardless, it handled to reach number 37 on the UK Albums Chart, and "R U Lonely?", among the album's songs, peaked at number 31 on the UK Singles Chart.

Tradition and Influence
Although "The Sky Is Too High" may not have gathered the very same level of commercial success as Blur's work, it launched Graham Coxon's solo career and enabled him to more develop as an artist and songwriter. His subsequent albums, such as "Happiness in Magazines" (2004) and "A+E" (2012), have actually made him vital recognition and a loyal following. The intimate, DIY feel of "The Sky Is Too High", and its expedition of various musical designs, remains prominent among alternative bands and artists today.