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[White Man]

it was don delillo, whiskey, me,
and a blinking midnight clock
speakers on a tv stand, just a turntable to watch
when the smoke came out our mouths
on all those hooded sweatshirt walks
you were a stroke of luck
we were a goldmine and they gutted us

I love these albums. DON DELILLO!! I LOVE YOU CONOR OBERST!

EDIT: This song rocks too:

we must talk in every telephone, we must be eaten on the web
we must rip out all the epilogues from the books that we have read
and in the face of every criminal strapped firmly to a chair
we must stare, we must stare, we must stare

we must take all of the medicines too expensive now to sell
set fire to the preacher who is promising us hell
and in the ear of every anarchist who sleeps but doesn't dream
we must sing, we must sing, we must sing

A lot of the songs seem to focus on society, which was a tendency that first appeared on Lifted. It's much more obvious here, though, especially on I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning.

 

[Dilbert]

How does the music sound compared to Lifted?

I kind of liked that album, and kind of didn't. I have a hard time listening to his voice for too long, and some of the intentional "off the cuff" sound experiments were annoying. (Worst opening track ever, for example. How many people listened at a CD kiosk in a record store, started at the first song, and said, "WTF? I'm not buying this crap.")

 

[distantmantra]

Take it Easy is the far superior single to Lua, but I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning is a much better album than Digital Ash in a Digital Urn. Even though, they're both fantastic albums and I cannot wait until Saddle Creek sends me both albums
in mid January.

I agree on Lifted, the first track is hideous, and it prevented me from delving further on many listens. I've been listening to it a lot lately, and I'm more impressed now than I was a couple years ago.

 

[White Man]

I sort of like both albums equally. I think Digital Ash in a Digital Urn takes the whole Postal Service style to a listenable level. Plus, Oberst actually writes excellent lyrics compared to Gibbards execrable pap.

Lifted, I adore, so much. I even like the first song. . .but only because I edited out like the first two minutes. There's really no lame sound experiments here. I'm amazed he's put out so much material here without a hint of filler. Easily, both albums excell his previous best work. I expected a lot, and Bright Eyes delivered more than I thought he could.

 

[hXc_thugg]

I'm really tempted to download the albums, but I am trying to hold out until January and be strong. It's always more fun to hear a new album the first time on an official release.

Lifted is easily one of my five favourite albums ever. I love Bright Eyes so much, I'm glad other people besides the high school crowd enjoys it too. It's a relief.

 

[enjoy bell woods]

I like Don DeLillo, but I don't like Bright Eyes.

 

[White Man]

Lifted is easily one of my five favourite albums ever. I love Bright Eyes so much, I'm glad other people besides the high school crowd enjoys it too. It's a relief.

I love you. Maybe high school kids listen to him, but I think he's writing the 20-something symphonies to god, these days. Seriously, Digital Ash is like a good version of the Postal Service. That Tamborello fellow even collaborates.

 

[hXc_thugg]

I love you. Maybe high school kids listen to him, but I think he's writing the 20-something symphonies to god, these days. Seriously, Digital Ash is like a good version of the Postal Service. That Tamborello fellow even collaborates.

I love you, too! I don't think high school kids necessairly listen to him. (I started listening in high school but that is besides the point) There is just a general stigma about Bright Eyes that is like "Only 14 year-old girls listen to Bright Eyes because he writes music for them." Which I think is kind of a joke, he is one of the best new musicians of the last 10 years at least.

 

[White Man]

Like I said, there's less navel gazing on these records. It's still there, but there's a lot less of it. I don't really mind him writing songs about his own experiences. He does it very well. I think he's one of the best songwriters today. I have all his albums on vinyl and I know all the words. I <3 Conor.

 

[hXc_thugg]

Me too. Someday I will marry that boy.

 

[White Man]

Piss off. He's mine. You could take Banhart.

I will make him waffles after a long, hard night of Don Delillo.

 

[Jim Bowie]

Man, if I love Postal Service, then I'll double love this. Considering I already dig Bright Eyes, anyway.

 

[fart]

i'm still partial to letting off the happiness, personally.

not that this album is bad. it's not. on the contrary it's quite good. but what bugged me about this record is that oberst tones himself down almost too much. i mean, those bad few minutes of lifted, the entirety of fevers and mirrors, those were too much oberst - there's no question. BUT, the great moments in his other albums are just enough oberst, moreover they're _all_ oberst, and they're like a two ton truck hitting your head in the face and then eating a pizza while your head's face bleeds.

i'm just not hearing any of those moments in this record. what it is is more even, more accessible, more listenable, but i guess there's nothing wrong with that.

 

[White Man]

You dislike Fevers and Mirrors? Even the best tracks, like The Calendar Hung Itself, and Haligh Haligh? There's only one song on F&M that I really dislike.

 

[fart]

i haven't listened to it in a while, but i remember disliking enough of it that i just stopped

 

[White Man]

<frown>

HALIGH HALIGH AN AWFUL LIE
THIS WEIGHT WILL NOT BE SATISFIED
I WILL GIVE YOU ONLY ONE REPLY
I KNOW NOT WHO I AM

 

[Fatalah]

I'm really digging "I'm Wide Awake..." It's become the ONLY album I listen to. And just about every song is becoming my favorite! I'm just like "oh wow, this song is amazing....fuck those other tracks!". And then the next day I'm like "Ah! THIS other song is awesome!"

Every song is GREAT.

I don't listen to 'Digital Ash' much at all. I've listened to it twice and I've had it just as long as 'I'm Wide Awake'.'

Tonight I'm giving it a try again. I'm going to see Conor live in Jan

 

[hXc_thugg]

Piss off. He's mine. You could take Banhart.

I will make him waffles after a long, hard night of Don Delillo.

I am prepared to fight you.

This thread makes me want to listen to the albums early. I've got to stay strong.

 

[Lambtron]

I think that Digital Ash is the better record, but I'm Wide Awake has my favorite songs ("Another Travellin' Song" & "At The Bottom of Everything").

White Man forced me to listen, and now I too want to give Conor some hot lovin'. But I'll let you guys fight over him, and set my sights on Jason Molina.

 

[Outdoor Miner]

I think that Digital Ash is the better record, but I'm Wide Awake has my favorite songs ("Another Travellin' Song" & "At The Bottom of Everything").

White Man forced me to listen, and now I too want to give Conor some hot lovin'. But I'll let you guys fight over him, and set my sights on Jason Molina.

Well, see your getting yourself into a fight with me if you're going into Molina territory. Taken.

**points to Jeff Mangum's direction**

That spots free.

And Fevers & Mirrors is a fine album, with some really strong songs on it.

"The Calendar Hung Itself" is enough to make the worst album on the planet bearable. So it certainly propels Fevers & Mirrors into above-average territory.

 

[White Man]

Mangum is mine. I could have two lovers. <looks at Phil Elverum> Uh, make that three.

 

[Lambtron]

Well, see your getting yourself into a fight with me if you're going into Molina territory. Taken.

**points to Jeff Mangum's direction**

That spots free.

Well, he signed my records and took his picture with me!!!!! But I'll let you have him.

I'd go after Congleton from pAper chAse, but he's fucking crazy... Will Sheff it is. I could handle being the meat in a Dean & Gene Ween sandwich, too, honestly.

 

[GG-Duo]

It's weird, but I've grown to dislike some songs on Awake
It's just too country (?) for my tastes... and I'm not sure if he pulled it off.

 

[distantmantra]

A little package arrived from Omaha, NE today containing I'm Wide Awake It's Morning and Digital Ash In A Digital Urn. I haven't had a chance to listen to the CDs yet, but just a heads up for those who preordered from Saddle Creek Records.

Almost two weeks prior to the official release date, sweet.

 

[bobble]

I'm seeing him tommorow in Omaha on the first show of the tour! I'm excited! Its going to be great, I love both of the new albums.

 

[distantmantra]

I'm seeing him tommorow in Omaha on the first show of the tour! I'm excited! Its going to be great, I love both of the new albums.

My girlfirend is originally from Omaha, we go back and visit her parents a couple times a year. Her parents sent me the latest issue of the Omaha Reader today, apparently there is an interview with Connor in it and they thought of me.

I still haven't decided whether I'm going to the Seattle show in February, besides being a poor grad student, I've seen Bright Eyes in the traditional manner, I may just wait until he comes back with The Faint as his backing band during the Digital Ash tour.

 

[Lambtron]

I'm pumped as hell for the Digital Ash tour. That album is so good it hurts... I listen to "I Believe in Sympathy" about 10 times a day, it's such a fucking perfect song.

 

[Mrjellybeanct]

I agree, I liked Bright Eyes before hearing these two new albums, but now I *really* like Bright Eyes. Had both of them since the leak and I think I am a little more on the Digital Ash side, both are great though. My order will be here tomorow.

I would love to see him later this month in NYC, but all three shows are during the week. It also happens to be the first week of the new semester so I doubt I'll be able to make it. I'll be sure to watch for the next tour with The Faint, hopefully it comes after finals.

 

[bobble]

My girlfirend is originally from Omaha, we go back and visit her parents a couple times a year. Her parents sent me the latest issue of the Omaha Reader today, apparently there is an interview with Connor in it and they thought of me.

I still haven't decided whether I'm going to the Seattle show in February, besides being a poor grad student, I've seen Bright Eyes in the traditional manner, I may just wait until he comes back with The Faint as his backing band during the Digital Ash tour.

I'm definatly more pumped for the Faint opening and being the backing band on the Digital Ash tour, but I'll take what I can get for now. I mean, this is Nebraska.

 

[distantmantra]

I'm definatly more pumped for the Faint opening and being the backing band on the Digital Ash tour, but I'll take what I can get for now. I mean, this is Nebraska.

No need to justify it, it's a hometown show, it should be spectacular. Have a great time.

 

[StoOgE]

Cursive is carrying the label on their backs. Take that bright eyes fans.

 

[bobble]

No need to justify it, it's a hometown show, it should be spectacular. Have a great time.

Well the problem was, last time the Faint were in town it sold out before I got tickets so the combo is going to be great. But I'm very very very excited about this show, and buying the records at the show. Plus Beep Beep have a show on the 28th, I'm I'm digging them lately too so its all good.

 

[distantmantra]

Cursive is carrying the label on their backs. Take that bright eyes fans.

At least it's not The Faint. Blank Wave Arcade was a good record, but Wet From Birth was the worst album I bought in 2004.

Even though I knew of the band before seeing how I owned Blank Wave Arcade, whoever recommended Wet From Birth to me should be kicked in the nuts repeatedly.

 

[RobotChant]

Check your local PBS stations for re-runs of Austin City Limits. There's a taped performance from Oberst. It's an old performance from when they toured with Wilco- they also performed on the same episode. Oberst sang a track off Lifted, and then had M.Ward and Jim James from My Morning Jacket come on stage.

 

[fart]

lammy fucking told me molina was playing here in the next few months but he was wrong. what kind of bullshit is that.

shit arcade fire on monday though HOT

 

[Mrjellybeanct]

Oh yeah, that PBS thing was great, Wilco's "Ashes of American Flags" was brilliant. I think they were touring with My Morning Jacket though, and they just so happened to be put in the same episode as Wilco.

 

[hXc_thugg]

Cursive is carrying the label on their backs. Take that bright eyes fans.

Cursive is on indefinite hiadus because Tim Kashir wants to write another Good Life album. Bright Eyes has always been better than Cursive anyways.

 

[Lambtron]

lammy fucking told me molina was playing here in the next few months but he was wrong. what kind of bullshit is that.

shit arcade fire on monday though HOT

From Kork:

4-28 - San Diego, CA - TBA
4-29 - Los Angeles, CA - The Echo
4-30 - San Francisco, CA - Bottom Of The Hill

Molina. I'm not wrong!

 

[fart]

MAGNOLIA ELECTRIC CO.
01/15 Bloomington, IN - Rhino's w/The Coke Dares + Push-Pull (Live CD release party)
02/14 New York, NY - Knitting Factory, Jason Molina solo w/Megan Reilly, Lo Fine, Mark Mulcahy + Mighty Flashlight
03/16 Austin, TX - TBA, SxSW Kork Agency Showcase
04/09 Chicago, IL - Schubas (early show)
04/09 Chicago, IL - Schubas w/The Coke Dares (CD release party)
04/12 Athens, OH - Casa Cantina
04/13 Cleveland, OH - The Spot @ Case Western (students only)
04/14 Boston, MA - Remis Auditorium, Museum of Fine Arts
04/15 Purchase, NY - SUNY Purchase (students only)
04/16 New York, NY - Knitting Factory
04/17 Greensboro, NC - Stone Lawn @ UNCG (outdoor show)
04/18 Asheville, NC - Grey Eagle Tavern + Music Hall
04/19 Nashville, TN - The End
04/21 Columbia, MO - Mojo's
04/22 Lawrence, KS - Jackpot Saloon
04/23 Denver, CO - Larimer Lounge
04/24 Salt Lake City, UT - Lo Fi Cafe
04/26 Phoenix, AZ - Modified
04/29 Los Angeles, CA - The Echo w/The Court & Spark
04/30 San Francisco, CA - Bottom of the Hill w/The Court & Spark
05/03 Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge w/The Court & Spark
05/04 Seattle, WA - Crocodile Cafe w/The Court & Spark
05/05 Victoria, BC - Lucky Bar
05/06 Vancouver, BC - Richards on Richards
05/07 Calgary, AB - The Hi Fi
05/08 Edmonton, AB - New City Likwid Lounge w/Field & Stream
05/09 Saskatoon, SK - Amigo's
05/10 Regina, SK - The Exchange
05/11 Winnipeg, MB - West End
05/14 Milwaukee, WI - Cactus Club

oh, tba, i see.


ps, picaresque is holy shit so good FUCK I'M BLEEDING

 

[White Man]

I still haven't decided whether I'm going to the Seattle show in February, besides being a poor grad student, I've seen Bright Eyes in the traditional manner, I may just wait until he comes back with The Faint as his backing band during the Digital Ash tour.

C'mon, go. We could make actual plans to meet up this time. I've seen Bright Eyes like 3 times. Playing the odds, Conor might be really drunk and amusing!

 

[StoOgE]

In regards to Austin City Limits, those sets arent filmed at the same time. They are also much longer in person. Bands generally play an hour or so long set and its cut down to fit the time allotted.. and then a second band is put on the same show... the magic of television. So two bands playing the same "TV show" together has nothing to do with anything, they could have been filmed months apart... In fact, a good chunk of the shows are filmed during ACL fest or SXSW music festival and played throughout the year, the rest do it whenever they happen to come through town on their normal tour.


<-- Parents are big doners to KLRU (the local PBS in Austin) so I get to see concerts whenever its someone they havent heard of.. like the flaming lips or the Shins..

 

[sc0la]

I just got the ep for love nothing and I thought it sucked my balls.

I bought it with Pinback summer in abbadon which rocks my fucking socks off.

 

[distantmantra]

C'mon, go. We could make actual plans to meet up this time. I've seen Bright Eyes like 3 times. Playing the odds, Conor might be really drunk and amusing!

It's during the week, and I'm not sure if I want to drive over from Ellensburg and then leave at the crack of dawn the next day for classes.

We'll definately makes plan for the Decemberists show in March, deal? I already bought my tickets and its during my spring break.

 

[White Man]

There's also Xiu Xiu in March, I believe. What with the new album announcement, I'll definitely be there to check out the new stuff.

 

[bobble]

Well, awesome awesome show. Conor was in definatly good spirits and all the new stuff sounded even better live than it does on 'I'm Wide Awake' IMO. Encore was great - closer was 'Road to Joy', the last song on the album, and it got pretty intense for a mostly acoustic show. The next tour can't come quick enough

 

[GG-Duo]

Caught his concert tonight in Toronto... my first Bright Eyes concert. and I was absolutely blown away.

Conor wasn't very cheerful or talky, and I think he was quite a bit drunk - but his songs were perfectly reproduced/improved upon. I was particularly amazed at his vocals, which were just as crisp as the album, if not better. And, of course, having such a good performance only highlights the sognwriting --- disregard the fact that hipster kids all swoon over his image, he writes some great songs with intelligent lyrics.

Oh yeah, he played a song called "When the President Talks to God"
http://www.plyrics.com/lyrics/brighteyes/whenthepresidenttalkstogod.html

 

[Jugendstil]

Just got the leaks of both of these, but haven't gotten the chance to listen to I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning yet. Digital Ash is pretty cool so far, and I looooove Goldmine Gutted. I'm not a huge Bright Eyes fan, but I definetly like the pairing of Conor with electronics.

 

[fart]

goldmine gutted is awesome

 

[White Man]

Don Delillo, man. How many Simon and Garfunkel songs mention him?