The Phoenix Network:
 
 
 
About  |  Advertise
 
Music
CD Reviews  |  Classical  |  Download  |  Live Reviews  |  Music Features  |  New England Music News

Conor Oberst

Conor Oberst | Merge
By DAVID BOFFA  |  August 26, 2008
3.5 3.5 Stars
ConorOberstinside.jpg
Conor Oberst isn’t really known for writing uncomplicated pop tunes — some might call his elaborate songwriting in Bright Eyes pretentious — though before his Desaparecidos days, he wasn’t known for writing punk songs and admonishing US foreign policy, either. Oberst’s somber lyricism on “Eagle on a Pole” sounds familiar: “Ashes from the dead/Like a dandelion head/Exploding and then are scattered by the breeze.” And depressing tales are pervasive — “Danny Callahan” tells the story of a supposed leukemia patient. But any comparisons with Bright Eyes end here. Few studio tracks are utilized on this homonymous solo release: an electric lead guitar and Rhodes piano accompany the country-fried bass, drums, and acoustic rhythm guitar on “Moab,” and jokes about “Looking like a girl in a gown” are cracked over rockabilly piano leads and 2/4 drums in “I Don’t Want To Die (in the Hospital).” It’s just an Omaha boy playing some good old country pop — for once.
Related:
  Topics: CD Reviews , Conor Oberst , Bright Eyes , Indie Rock and Emo ,  More more >
  • Share:
  • RSS feed Rss
  • Email this article to a friend Email
  • Print this article Print
Comments

Today's Event Picks
Plus 6 more >>
ARTICLES BY DAVID BOFFA
Share this entry with Delicious

 See all articles by: DAVID BOFFA

MOST POPULAR
RSS Feed of for the most popular articles
 Most Viewed   Most Emailed 
HOT TOPICS
 More Topics . . .
LATEST SLIDESHOWS

All Slideshows



Thursday, January 08, 2009  |  Sign In  |  Register
 
thePhoenix.com:
Phoenix Media/Communications Group:
TODAY'S FEATURED ADVERTISERS
Copyright © 2009 The Phoenix Media/Communications Group