What makes Look to the Sky by James Iha notable?

Look to the Sky received positive reviews from critics, highlighting Iha's songwriting abilities and his transition into a more personal musical style. The album contributed to the resurgence of interest in alternative rock during the early 2010s and showcased Iha's evolution as an artist, influencing contemporaries looking to balance commercial appeal with artistic authenticity. Released in 2012, Look to the Sky marks James Iha's first solo album since his debut, Let It Come Down, in 2000. At this point in his career, Iha was navigating life after the Smashing Pumpkins' peak years and exploring his own musical identity outside of the band's shadow. This album reflects a matured perspective while still maintaining a connection to his alternative rock roots.

How many songs are on Look to the Sky?

Look to the Sky has 14 tracks, running approximately 52 minutes.

Look to the Sky

James Iha · 2012

52 min · 14 tracks · alternative rock

A melodic blend of introspective lyrics and shimmering guitar tones that capture a sense of nostalgia and longing.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Gemini — This track encapsulates the album's themes of duality and introspection through its lush instrumentation and contemplative lyrics. Its blend of pop melodies with a reflective tone makes it a standout representation of Iha's artistic vision.
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Speed of Love — Combining upbeat rhythms with poignant lyrics about fleeting connections, this track showcases Iha's knack for marrying catchy hooks with deeper emotional layers. It's a perfect example of how he balances lightness with seriousness throughout the album.
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Dark Star — The closing track offers a haunting reflection on loneliness and searching for meaning, featuring layered guitar work that elevates the emotional impact. It brings a fitting conclusion to the album's exploration of personal growth and longing.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album showcases solid songwriting and production but lacks a strong cohesive flow across its length.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and dynamics.
Several tracks incorporate layered guitar textures that create a lush soundscape, particularly evident in 'Speed of Love' and 'Waves'.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Make Believe 2:43
2 To Who Knows Where 4:18
3 Gemini 3:53
4 Speed of Love 3:44
5 Till Next Tuesday 3:49
6 Summer Days 3:35
7 Appetite 4:11
8 Dream Tonight 3:14
9 New Year's Day 3:45
10 Waves 3:38
11 A String of Words 3:56
12 4th of July 3:40
13 Dark Star 4:53
14 Gemini (acoustic version) 3:18

What to play next

Go back to

Let It Come Down

1998

Full James Iha discography Artists like James Iha

alternative rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata