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Touted by many as a modern day Bob Dylan, you’d imagine there is a bit of pressure on Conor Oberst to reach some heady heights during his career. Yet if there is any pressure, then the former Bright Eyes front man doesn’t seem to be letting it get to him. Yep, at the ripe old age of 28, his discography already boasts over 20 album and EP releases... that’s some good going.
On this, his first solo album since 1996, Oberst appears to give a nod to his key influencer, becoming more and more Dylanesque in his song structures. The 12 tracks here favour verses over repeated choruses and show the desire to develop deeper melodies rather than obvious hooks.
And so the songs... well, they’re quite simply folk rock of the highest order. Oberst is a master story-teller and this album captures him in complete command. The tracks have a common theme of “hitting the road”, a kind of escapism. But all the while during this journey, Oberst still wants to surprise, there being no better example than ‘Souled Out!!!’. A rambling rocker with full band chorus, as if he wanted to give listeners a reminder that you can’t put a label on his sound.
Oh and another tick in the Dylan comparison box is his overt political leanings (leftwards of course). Oberst is currently playing in support of Barack Obama in the current US election campaign – hopefully it helps Obama more than the musical might that went behind Al Gore.... Anyway, enough politics.
Album. Good. Buy.
Essential Tracks
Cape Canaveral
Sausalito
Souled Out!!!
Full Track Listing
1. Cape Canaveral (4:04)
2. Sausalito (3:10)
3. Get-Well-Cards (3:33)
4. Lenders in the Temple (4:35)
5. Danny Callahan (3:58)
6. I Don’t Want to Die (In the Hospital) (3:32)
7. Eagle on a Pole (4:42)
8. NYC - Gone, Gone (1:11)
9. Moab (3:36)
10. Valle Místico (Ruben’s Song) (0:49)
11. Souled Out!!! (3:32)
12. Milk Thistle (5:21)
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