CD Review: Bright Eyes - Motion Sickness - Page 2

The strongest two tracks on this disc, “Mushaboom” and “True Blue”, are two that even the most committed fans have probably never heard. While touring in Canada, as Bright Eyes drummer Jason Boesel explains in the linear notes, “an interviewer recommended a Canadian singer named Feist” to Conor. He promptly purchased her album Let it Die and “it became almost the only CD played on the entire tour.” Bright Eyes recorded a rendition of her song “Mushaboom” while in Japan that will generate smiles, especially for those who have heard the Feist version. It’s a joyous and addicting song that’ll be played over and over again on stereos and iPods everywhere. “True Blue” embodies a similar joyousness, with its blaring trumpet and amusing lyrics over three simple chords. In the first verse, Oberst sings,

“I am a blue blood, I will admit that. I dance in blue shoes and wear a blue hat. Live in a blue house, on a blue street, in a blue town by a blue creek. I write my blue songs with my blue pen. I sing the blue notes to my blue friends. Now I don't know that much about you, but I like you because you’re true blue.”

The song continues in that fashion and one can’t help but marvel at Oberst’s lyrical imagination. Had such a song been attempted by most any other artist, the result would most certainly have been cliché. Oberst, however, manages to pen an endearing and clever song.

If you’ve been curious about Bright Eyes, now is the time to fork out $15. Motion Sickness is perfect for you. If you are already hooked on Oberst and friends, you won’t be able to live without this disc.

Check out my blog This is Breathing to find this and other music reviews.

Article Author: Jackson Smith

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