Spring Break
REVIEW: Conor Oberst's 'Outer' limits
3 out of 5 stars
Fernando Dutra
Issue date: 4/30/09 Section: Focus
What do you do when Rolling Stone names you the best songwriter of 2008? In Conor Oberst's case, it means rushing an album out that contradicts this accolade. This is Oberst's second solo album backed by the Mystic Valley Band, a band of like-minded musicians that share Oberst's recent dive into southern alt-country rock. This group clearly buoys Oberst's normally melancholic spirits, which listeners be more accustomed to hearing from Oberst's band Bright Eyes.
Yet since Bright Eyes' "Cassadaga," Oberst's songwriting and intentions have changed. He no longer writes songs about being lovesick or infatuated. He doesn't write overt, straightforwardly damning songs like "When The President Talks To God." Instead, listeners hear a different kind of Oberst - one that seems to be content with his state in life.
Without any sort of conflict spurring him on, Oberst loosens the reins a little bit. For someone who has always had revolving musicians contributing to his albums, rounding up a new group to help him create music wasn't too difficult. Though the album has 16 songs, 11 were written by Oberst, and 10 sung by him. For the first time on an Oberst album, the other five are written and sung by his supporting band, the Mystic Valley Band.
The Mystic Valley Band isn't made of first-time writers. Jason Boesel, the drummer, is also part of indie band Rilo Kiley. Other members Taylor Hollingsworth and Nik Freitas have released several albums themselves. They are capable musicians, each offering something different to the typical Oberst contributions. Freitas' "Bloodline," for example, begins with a Kinks-esque melody never heard before on an Oberst album.
The problem is that these contributions are varied in quality. Boesel's "Difference Is Time" is the album's low-point, though "Worldwide" (written by Oberst but sung by Macey Taylor) and "Snake on a Hill" come close. Boesel redeems himself with his version of "Eagle on a Pole," a song that begins with the same first line as the version on "Conor Oberst" but morphs entirely. In short, each member contributes one song that is noteworthy and another that is utterly dispensable.
Yet since Bright Eyes' "Cassadaga," Oberst's songwriting and intentions have changed. He no longer writes songs about being lovesick or infatuated. He doesn't write overt, straightforwardly damning songs like "When The President Talks To God." Instead, listeners hear a different kind of Oberst - one that seems to be content with his state in life.
Without any sort of conflict spurring him on, Oberst loosens the reins a little bit. For someone who has always had revolving musicians contributing to his albums, rounding up a new group to help him create music wasn't too difficult. Though the album has 16 songs, 11 were written by Oberst, and 10 sung by him. For the first time on an Oberst album, the other five are written and sung by his supporting band, the Mystic Valley Band.
The Mystic Valley Band isn't made of first-time writers. Jason Boesel, the drummer, is also part of indie band Rilo Kiley. Other members Taylor Hollingsworth and Nik Freitas have released several albums themselves. They are capable musicians, each offering something different to the typical Oberst contributions. Freitas' "Bloodline," for example, begins with a Kinks-esque melody never heard before on an Oberst album.
The problem is that these contributions are varied in quality. Boesel's "Difference Is Time" is the album's low-point, though "Worldwide" (written by Oberst but sung by Macey Taylor) and "Snake on a Hill" come close. Boesel redeems himself with his version of "Eagle on a Pole," a song that begins with the same first line as the version on "Conor Oberst" but morphs entirely. In short, each member contributes one song that is noteworthy and another that is utterly dispensable.
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chris
posted 5/01/09 @ 12:05 AM EST
Great article, but Roosevelt Room was actually intended to be a Bright Eyes song written in mid 2007. It was toured with until the end of the Bright Eyes tour in said year. (Continued…)
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