Oberst mixes country, rock

January 31, 2005 —

Bright Eyes is essentially a project for singer-songwriter Conor Oberst, rather than a real band. Oberst and his revolving band mates have worked furiously since the late nineties, releasing six albums and numerous EPs in the past eight years.

I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning is a ten-song collection that represents the stripped-down side of Bright Eyes. Some of the tracks sound as though they were recorded in a basement with little more than Oberst and his guitar. Others feel a bit more polished, but with a hint of country mixed into the melodic rock.

Yes, country. And Bright Eyes recently appeared on the PBS concert series Austin City Limits alongside Wilco, former alt-country wonders turned experimental rock pioneers. PBS claimed "musical innovation" as the theme for this particular episode.

While I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning is a far cry from Wilco's A Ghost is Born in terms of innovation, Bright Eyes deserves some credit for remaining just different enough to be compelling.

Oberst isn't afraid to warble or even shout when he sings, and there is a peculiarity to his voice that only makes it more enjoyable to hear. The songs he sings are full of memorable hooks without stooping to the level of commercial pop music.

If you can tolerate minute-and-a-half intros, "At the Bottom of Everything" is well worth the wait. And the single "Lua" is a poignant tune featuring nothing more than guitar and Oberst's whispery voice, while "Train Under Water" is a delightful country-pop gem.

Sure, the country flavor of the album may not appeal to everyone, especially the harmonies by guest Emmylou Harris. But this isn't country music. This is rock music in its barest, most essential form.

Certainly it's not a groundbreaking album, but it is a collection of wonderful songs that get better each time they're played.

Bright Eyes also released a second full-length album, Digital Ash in a Digital Urn, on the same date as I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning.