It is rare these days that I get a record that makes me stop in my tracks, that I play endlessly, put away, and then when I pick it up again, it's still as good as I remember it. One of two new releases from Bright Eyes, I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning, is a record like that.
The record opens with what feels like a stream-of-consciousness story reminiscent of Patti Smith, the energy and the breathlessness catching you up in it:
"So there was this woman, and she was on an airplane, and she was flying to meet her fiance, zooming high above the largest ocean on planet earth..."
You don't know where Conor Oberst is going, exactly, with this story, but it - and he - he draws you into the record, into the song, into the journey that is I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning. The rollicking tune that follows doesn't seem to fit, it seems incongruous, but the lyrics betray that:
"While my mother waters plants
My father loads his guns
He says death will give us back to god
Just like this setting sun is returned to this lonesome ocean..."
The images of earth and parents and god and religion (if you count guns as religion, which in the midwest they might be, and to some people everywhere, they are) are pervasive on this record.
Following Conor Oberst's career is not a passive spectator sport, if you blink, you will miss it, he will release an album and then immediately come up with new songs that he feels are better but you can only hear them live. Gone are the days of the enraptured audience there to watch him stare at the ground and bleed tales of woe and sadness on his guitar strings. Growing up in public is never easy to do, but Oberst is the first artist in a long time who seems to have accomplished it without embarrassing himself. It seems condescending to characterize his journey as an artist thus, but when someone started recording when they were 14, and now they are 24, it would be ignorant not to consider that viewpoint.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Bill Lamb
Thanks for the review...I'm very very eager to hear this. Q Magazine in the UK gave it 5 stars (instant classic level) and Rolling Stone gave it 4 stars, and your review. It does sound like something truly special.
2 - michelle poole
I heard one of the new songs yesterday and it was really cool. Your review reminded me that I would like to hear more of this band. Thanks.
3 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
this record is brilliant, and so too is Digital Ash In A Digital Urn. I can't for a second fathom how magazines like Mojo and Uncut gave it one star reviews (they gave Wide Awake the full five, though)
His earlier Every Day And Every Night is great too. I bought Fevers And Mirrors today. Here's hoping it keeps up the old quality control and such.
4 - DJRadiohead
Robert Smith called. He wants his voice back.
5 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
robert smith? bright eyes sounds nothing like robert smith, man! If anyone sounds like robert smith it's that fella from The Darkness.
6 - clr
I'll listen to the musical opinions of someone who admits they listen to *Dream Theater* when the cows come home.
7 - ClubhouseCancer
Cattle return time is the perfect time to listen to Dream Theater!
8 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
i'd rather listen to the cows. lol sorry man, i couldn't resist. just playin is all.
9 - DJRadiohead
bright eyes sounds nothing like robert smith, man!
Maybe I should have been more specific. Conor has an off-key Robert Smith vocal delivery. Maybe that's why you do not hear the similarities.
Dropping all the sarcasm... I do think the guy's vocal delivery leaves something to be desired and I think his lyrics are a wee bit overrated. But when a co-worker went to buy the album it was sold out at the two places he went to get it. Maybe I am in the minority.
10 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
DJ, that's true here too, about the selling out of stock and such. and here in the UK it's not like he had two singles at the top of the charts or no shit like that. The HMV near here only had Digital Ash left by tuesday, and the whole damn lot were gone today.
11 - Eric Olsen
thanks Caryn, very fine review as always. I haven't heard this one yet but heretofore young Connor has red-zoned by twee meter
12 - clr
Once again, you are simply demonstrating your own lack of musical knowledge. Robert Smith? Off key? Your ears are full of cement. Perhaps you don't like him but your attempts at criticism are nothing but immature, ignorant insult. Hence the reason I really have zero respect for your opinion. I'm just curious how many of his records you own, exactly? Since you're not hearing him on any radio station.
Eric, I understand completely, this is way out of twee screaming emo girl zone.
13 - naz
Well, how about we leave the robert smith battle for another day. But lets do talk about this album, and specifically the reactions to it. Most people love it, but some critics, namely Stephen Thomas Ernewein of All-music guide HATED IT, and HATES conner Oberst.
Anyone read this review? or heard any talk about the critical attack on Bright eyes. It seemed really out of character for both the reviewer, and Allmusic guide itself. I wouldnt be surprised if they dont re-review the album later. SUrely it doesnt represent the majority at ALl-music.
I mean, if you read the reviews of some of the albusm and E.P.'s you'll notice that one of the other critics calls him a Genius.
In any case, i don't think he's a genius. I mean, come on, that word is so over used it sickening. Save it for the mcartneys and maybe dylan's of the world...not bright eyes.
Why not? Because surely, if we're honest with ourselves, we'll admit that Bright eyes is some times nausiating with his super-pretentious lyrics. And the songs, though very good most of the time, are not in a leauge of their own. Comments?
14 - clr
Have you heard *THIS* record? I mean, I agree with a lot of what you say on previous work, but a lot of these songs he's been working on over the last year and a half or so and they're coming from a different place.
Which was kind of the point of this review, which, clearly, people haven't bothered to read either, instead jumping to conclusions.
15 - naz
Ok, I'm confused a bit.
So from what place is This album comming from, would you say?
Just maybe expand on what you were saying.. where do you stand with bright eyes music? fan or no...
16 - clr
READ THE REVIEW I WROTE! Oh, my god. And why do I have to tell you whether or not I'm a fan? How is that relevant to the discussion?
You're the inarticulate individual who criticized Conor for using "pretentious" lyrics in another post, so we know where you're coming from.
17 - naz
Ok, chill. I didn't realize that Caryn Rose was the same person as CLR (you). Anyway that aside, I may not be as articulate as you but my opinion is equally valid. Don't pretend to not understand what I was writing in the last post.
As far as his lyrics being pretentious, I stand by that claim. I think its been noted by many a critic and fan -- The metaphors are often cliche and awkward, and he also has a tendancy to bombard us with ruminations on his sadness which are simply becoming old. I wish he would find somthing else to write about and maybe then he'd be less tempted to use these overly precious phrases.
That being said, I do think he strikes gold occaisionally and the lyrics can be both intelligent and moving (A song to pass the time,comes to mind).
So anyway CLR, relax, I'm not dissagreeing with your review totally. I agree with most of it, but think its a tad subjective. not that you didnt intend it to be. I suppose it's your feelings about the album. I think you give him a little too much credit perhaps.
18 - clr
Here you go again, telling people how they should feel and what they understand and what they think. It's impossible to have a discussion with anyone who's like this.
19 - Naz
HA!
You make it sound like I established a history of telling people what they can or cannot think.
I simply stated how my opinion differs from yours. I never told you not to feel how you do. In fact your the one who goes overboard, (just now, and earlier with the Robert Smith argument). You keep flippin out on people who say things you dislike. Why shouldnt that guy have been able to identify Conner oberst with Robert smith if thats what he hears/feels? I mean really i dont care if you tell him you think he's wrong, but don't be such a hypocrite in telling me I am the one whos telling people what to think.
In any case , relax and quit being so defensive about your writing.
you Still sore CLR?
20 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
i think the only way you're all gonna get along is by going to www.mondoirlando.com/mondo_downloads.html and downloading the music therein, before realising that what it is, is we're all brothers, or at least cousins, second or third, im not sure.
21 - naz
ahh a shameless self promo by a mondo guy in the midst of an unrelated blog discussion/argument. The internet is crazy.
Anyway --let me get one more one more shot in at CLr before i retire from blogging for another few months.
CLR, Ive been reading some of your stuff to figure you out a little better. In my humble opinion you are a talentless writer who takes her self entirely too serious.
Later gator
22 - Aaman
I dislike snipers - in Halo 2, and on blogs
23 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
shit, man, if a fella can't shamefully self-promote himself in an unrelated discussion, then were he can he? "a mondo guy" indeed. ROFL. Also, me felt things were getting a tad heated, so best throw some water on the ole fire.
Aaman, that was a sweet comment.
24 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
although i do feel naz was being somewhat misunderstood a few comments back.
25 - Aaman
Awesome music - just sampled an exclusive song from iTunes - "When The President Talks To God" - quite well written. I'm only going to get this album - the other has poor reviews, and samples sounded over-produced. - Thanks for the review