Customer Reviews
My take on this album. - By: Mr. L. Bratley, 15 Sep 2008 
I enjoy this album a lot, mostly because i really enjoy Conor Oberst's songwriting. However I would recommend this album to listeners who are not entirely familiar with Conor Oberst's songwriting, as it is simple display of Conor's songwriting talents without attempting to push any boundaries, or over-simplifying the music.
I would say this album provides a typical mix of his songs writtenin his typical pop/country manner, combined with full on country numbers like "I Don't Wanna Die (In The Hospital)" & folk/acoustic tracks like "Milk Thistle". If you have listened to say, Radiohead, Oasis & Bob Dylan, & could imagine a cross between all three, then this is your thing.
Oberst's lyrics can be natural & confessional like on Moab ("You can't break out of a circle you never knew you were in"..."There's nothing that the road cannot heal") & Milk Thistle ("If I go to Heaven I'll be bored as Hell, like a crying baby at the bottom of a well"). But he shows a more ambiguous, analgous & story-teller side too, on tracks like Danny Callahan ("Western medicine couldn't save Danny Callahan etc"). In my opinion this versatility provides old & new Oberst fans something, & I would definitely recommend it.
The man who could do no wrong - By: Mr. T. Ford, 20 Aug 2008 This is a Bright Eyes albumin all but name, which basically means it is brilliant. As my title says, Conor Oberst can do no wrong, whether it's under the guise of Bright Eyes or as a solo-ist. Each song is a lyrical tour-de-force. There is something for everyone, up tempo numbers which will have you tapping your feet, slow numbers which will make you sit back & think because of their lyrical beauty. If anyone deserves the tag of the new Dylan (hundreds have had the label, none have deserved it) then it is Oberst. I have given this album three or four listens thus far, & I have always found Bright Eyes albums to be growers, they require a few listens before being engrained. This one will probably be no different. The lack of a fifth star is because I don't think it quite matches up to 'I'm wide awake...' but then what does? So far I have been most taken with the up tempo numbers such as Sausalito, but that is probably because they are instantly more catchy than the slow numbers. I'm looking forward to layingin bedin darkness & listening to the slow numbers then I can hopefully come back & give this five stars instead!
Yes and No. - By: T. P. Gratton, 10 Aug 2008 I'd disagree with the previous reviewer that this is "a more stripped down show yet again, very reminiscent of 'I'm Wide Awake it's Morning'." There are less of what I'd call simple yet profound songs, & morein your face, country music that almost makes you want to stand up & dance aroundin a big white tent. There's three of the former, at most.
I do agree with this fact though... 'Cape Canaveral' is simply stunning, & could literally make me cry. The last song too (Milk Thistle) is beautiful, & again really renders me speechless... And as Oberst blurts out "Up & Down" almost out of nowhere it's almost as if he's summing up the whole record. To me this is bitter sweet country folk encased either side with two simply sad songs. They alone are worth the price.
Allin all if you're looking for a song like "First Day of my Life" there are three here at most, & they are all beautiful. The rest are more akin to something like "Another Travelling Song" off I'm Wide Awake...
It is for the most part fast & jaunty, & reminds me of some old American film with people dancing aroundin a bar or around a maypole... but it can't be faulted. I don't know what Connor meant it to be, but it feels like a manic trip. It feels so sad, yet by track 7 you want to just jump around... by track 12 you'll want to cry again. Then some more when it's over.
Conor Oberst - By: Mr. J. C. Hull, 07 Aug 2008 
Conor Oberst is the frontman, songwriter, guitarist, lyricist, mastermind, & pretty much everything else behind the alt country masterpiece of a band known as Bright Eyes. This is unlikely to be news to anyone. However, this is Conor Oberst's fourth solo album to be released, & I'll be honest with you I didn't even know he had any previous solo work - such is the rarity of the older work. They were never released on CD, but on cassettesin limited stock.
I'm a huge fan of Bright Eyes; from the country stuff to the more indie mainstream stuff, I love the lot. However, I found myself writhing a bit with their last release Cassadaga. It wasn't that the music was bad, it was the level of production that had seemingly made it's way onto the album. I've always loved the raw folky sound, & the whiney vocals accompanying to dramatic affect. With this release you see Conor Oberst doing a more stripped down show yet again, very reminiscent of 'I'm Wide Awake it's Morning'. The album contains his more countryish, acoustic pieces accompanied by his beautiful, knowledgable lyrics. Opening song 'Cape Carnaveral' is simply stunning.
If you're a Bright Eyes fan, then this review will have made no difference to you whatsoever, I'm sure you'll just get it. If you're new to the world of Conor Oberst, then you really can't go wrong with this album. Think Ryan Adams crossed with Elliott Smith, & you'll understand what you're getting. Honest lyrics, soaring acoustic guitar chords, &in depth stories creating a superb return to the solo stand.
