“…it’s not better than 2005’s I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning. It is funnier though.”
By Peter Lemonjello
First, thanks to NPR for being not only a non-biased-as-possible news source, but also a light in the darkness by providing free listens to hot shite artists. I mean, Iron and Wine (album and live show), The Decemberists (album and live show), and most recently an early listen to the new Bright Eyes album? In the wake of LaLa’s destruction at the hands of Apple this is a major coup. Ah em, hmm, now, Bright Eyes. NPR says, “This is the best record Bright Eyes has ever made.” Whew. No, it’s really not. It’s very good – probably a solid 4 star out of 5 album, but it’s not better than 2005’s I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning.
It is funnier though. Oberst’s friend, Danny Brewer, provides rambling, insane spoken word interludes that prove to be more interesting and entertaining than much of the material on The People’s Key. With that said, Bright Eyes walk in place with conviction for the duration. There’s a little social commentary, a little soul searching, and some of Oberst’s seemingly bottomless hunger for poor keyboard backing tracks. The end result is enjoyable new music from a band that hasn’t taken any steps backward, but is also not ready to make the great album that’s up their sleeve.
www.conoroberst.com
PL
justsomedude
02/03/2011
I want my 2 minutes of life back
How can you review an album without mentioning a song?
How can an album "probably" be worth four stars if the 'funny' interludes are more entertaining and interesting than the rest of them album?
get a new hobby
jojowrinkles
02/03/2011
You are very simple. You don't understand sarcasm and, if you've ever listened to a "First Listen" album on NPR, you'd know that they don't list song titles. Plus, you're getting a review of an album that won't be released for two weeks. So, you're a critic of a critic? Write your own article of the same album. It's still on NPR for free…or do you still want to stay on your couch with just you and your right palm, eating Nutella out of the jar, and wish that your life would end because you have no friends?
chipcopeland
02/03/2011
Sorry 'justsomedude', I gotta agree with Jojo on this one.
There were no mentions of song titles quoted in the NPR review of the album (which you can find linked within Jojo's review). The song titles are listed in the streaming previews though.
Not every review needs to quote lyrics or mention song titles; that, is ultimately up to the reviewer's discretion.