Robert Skoro Preview

Robert Skoro
Empty Bottle, Chicago
Sunday, January 29, 2006

Casually overlooked in a flurry of Fall 2005 releases, Robert Skoro‘s That These Things Could Be Ours gets a second chance for his winter tour.

Before venturing out on his own, this Minneapolitan was on the fast track to 9 to 5: a handy musician to have around (he was part of Mason Jennings‘ band), but never really in the right place at the right time to be swept up into the indie stream. His debut, 2002’s seldom-heard Proof, seduced the local press, but if success was to be his smart money would be on those European enclaves that eagerly await each Kevin Tihista album.

Someone over at Yep Roc — home to Billy Bragg, Paul Weller, and Twin Cities alum Bob Mould — got an ear snagged on him, though, and signed him right up. But it really doesn’t get more Midwestern than Robert Skoro. Sure, there’s some Beantown, college-forever! charm in his Joe Pernice whisper and “All The Angels” touches on the wideopenworld vibe of later Elbow. But he’s so everyman he can be easy to miss. At his worst being nostalgic (“Before The Sun”) he still has an uncanny innocence streak springing more from genuine hope than recalling childhood (“Old Friend”). Only 23, he has plenty of time to grow. He’s gonna need it.

Skoro opens for Jeff Hanson and Southerly.

— Steve Forstneger

Click here to download “All The Angels.”

Category: Stage Buzz, Weekly