IN LOVE..

SO yesterday- CONOR OBERSTs (my future husband) self titled album was released to the masses. If you know me, you know that this man can do no wrong in my eyes. As far as Im concerned he is one of todays most talented songwriters and will continue to wow us for a long long time. So just sit tight through this post- Because, yes, I will be reviewing it in great detail which basically means -- BUY THIS ALBUM NOW!!!

Shall we?

Ive had DANNY CALLAHAN and MILK THISTLE for some time now and I really liked. But lets just say this album in its entirety is just about perfect.

The first track on the album -

CAPE CANAVERAL, sets the tone calmly. We right away recognize his voice and style but it just sounds a lot more polished. His lyrics are melancholy and reflective, yet not as somber as his BRIGHT EYES tracks are. I like this line-
"I watched your face age backwards -Changing shape in my memory -You told me victory’s sweet -Even deep in the cheap seats" He just has a way with words..

SAUSALITO, is an upbeat track, feels happy and we start to hear THE MYSTIC VALLEY BANDS presence along with a bit of a TOM PETTY influence- with OBERSTS famous harmonies- which always sound perfect.

GET-WELL CARDS is THE one. Yes- the one where hands down all will compare him to DYLAN. I know that we have heard this many times before, but I definitely hear it here. Even the way he manipulates his voice and enunciates each letter. Particularly when he says "Hes got a get well letter- to deliver" and when he sings- "hes gonna do it" I dont care who he sounds like- hes still his own. I LOVE THIS TRACK.

LENDERS IN THE TEMPLE- Good track- not my most favorite honestly. Now I feel spoiled by his newness that this just reminds me of other BRIGHT EYES tracks. Lyrics are still nice and beautifully put together.

DANNY CALLAHAN- This one can easily be off of his last CASSADAGA album but I really like this one too. His use of the piano on this album is showing itself more and more, which I really like. Its refreshing. This song is about a boy who is ill that he saw in a drug store. Its a sweet song, sad too, but the music doesnt drag you down with the story.

I DONT WANT TO DIE IN A HOSPITAL- Great track. Makes you want to get up and dance kinda silly along with it. Here, again, the piano has a huge presence. Feels like youre in a dark old worn in wood bar somewhere in the dessert out west, where all they serve is been and whiskey (got the visual?!). Again the song talks about not wanting to die in a hospital, something we can all relate to. Its not a light subject, yet you dont feel and ounce of gloom listening to it.

EAGLE ON A POLE- I love the first line of this song. True CONOR track. Minimal- its all about his voice- In an interview I watched, he said that this song was created on a bus with his friends and band mates. They had a contest to see who could write the best song with a line that his friend said in passing- "I saw an eagle on a pole, I think it was an eagle" Clearly CONORs won, because here it is.

NYC, GONE, GONE- Love this song- almost has a FLOGGING MOLLY/ RIVERDANCE vibe. One of my favorite tracks on the album. Simple to learn and sing along to. Easy and fun.

MOAB- "Theres nothing that the road cannot heal" I love this line because I agree. Im a road tripper.

VALLE MISTICO- Reminds me of the SHOFAR being blown on ROSH HASHANNAH. Aright, I guess. Makes me want to close my eyes because thats what youre supposed to do when you hear it. Just horn blowing.

SOULED OUT!!- A pun. Another enjoyable track, Easy listening. Love the harmonies on this one. This track is his most mainstream one for sure. I can see my little sister liking it and singing along to it. Theres the added talking, giggling and interference that we sometimes hear on BRIGHT EYES tracks. Towards the end he does a DESPERACIDOS rant, but more subdued- as if hes moved on from his angsty screaming and has now matured. Really good song.

MILK THISTLE- A song about alcoholism. Milk thistle is a hangover remedy. A nice way to wind down on this album. Not too depressing- just matter of fact. He reminds us that he is his own but he will always be BRIGHT EYES- the band we all love that made us buy this album.

All in all.. This album is a beautiful work. He can certainly hold his own, but we always knew this. Obersts lyrics are always insightful as if hes a man of 80 years reflecting back on his life and his wounds of war- yet- hes 28.
Musically- I love the steady presence of the keys and the abundance of instruments throughout- without shutting out the accoustic side that we have all grown to love and expect from him. There are ups and downs on the album- but they feel right and just make sense..

BUY IT. SERIOUSLY.

STREAM IT HERE..

LISTEN TO CONOR OBERST ALBUM


CAPE CANAVERAL



GET WELL CARDS



NYC GONE GONE




xoxo