Amazon.co.uk Review
He has less reason than most to seek temporary refuge behind his own name. For all intents and purposes, and certainly in the wider public perception, Conor Oberst is Bright Eyes incarnate. But he's nothing if not prolific and without long term collaborator Mike Mogis on board he's free to pursue some brand recognition of his own--something his managers must have been craving since 'the new Dylan' choruses started ringing out and he began dating Hollywood A-listers. On this eponymous solo debut he certainly plays up to those expectations, peddling stripped-back, lyric-loaded country traditionalism, barely troubled by amplification. It's a shame then that it can't quite rival the emotive maturity reached on the last similarly no-frills full band record,
Cassadaga. He still has a fine way with words, able to mine a deep well of imagination, stringing together frequent memorable couplets, sometimes twee ("The kind of love that makes my back hurt / wearin' nothing but a T-shirt"), sometimes nonsensically transcendental ("thought the kettle was a train / thought that Monday was a doorframe"). But though he kicks things up a little on the jaunty blues riot of "I Don't Want to Die (In the Hospital)" and stomping White Stripes-esque square-dance "Moab", it's to no further extent than he has done before, suggesting the days of veering off into artistic catharsis may be behind him. None of which should denigrate the album's quaint value, just acknowledge the high standard he's set himself and which he finds hard to pass here.
--James Berry
CD Description
This is the fourth album issued as a solo record by Conor Oberst, his first since 1995's hard-to-find 'Soundtrack To MyMovie'. Best known for his work under the guise of Bright Eyes and for his reputation as a gifted songwriter, this album captures the many talents and ideas of an artist at his peak. Recorded in Tepoztlan, Mexico, the record conjures up landscape images with bittersweet intimacy. A unique and bold album which will capture the listener's imagination.