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Album Review

Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band
Outer South Wichita

Article written by Matt H - May 4, 2009

Conor Oberst - lots of songs

A prolific output was part of Conor Oberst’s early charm. His sheer energy and feeling as he searched for ways to express himself more than made up for the lack of an edit function (and the odd great melody did no harm). Then, around I’m Wide Awake… he seemed to grow up and find a consistent voice in more broadly politicised country/folk rock.

This second post-Bright Eyes album in about 6 months often sticks to the template. It’s good stuff; well-constructed songs, well-played and even well-sung. Even when not sharing out vocal duties, Oberst’s voice is a lot stronger, having lost much of its angsty, sometimes irritating, whine. Frankly though any evenness of tone threatens to work against it. After the first three songs you might well wonder "Why listen to this, and not last year’s record?”. Thankfully Oberst does still have a change of pace. He goes more pop with the daft simplicity of Air Mattress and Cabbage Town’s organs. There’s even a fine angry blues rock stomper, Roosevelt Room, to grab back the attention.

But, as with his younger self (not to mention the later careers of those elder statesmen whose path he is very definitely following, sometimes too closely perhaps), it’s on the shoulders of the OK songs that the really good ones stand tall. Tallest of all is the distinctly, and not uniquely, Dylanesque Ten Women - a lilting acoustic singalong that’s worth the price itself. While the variablity harks back to others' careers in that way, it also highlights why the death of the album is to be mourned. A little of the discipline that the restricted running time of vinyl used to enforce wouldn’t go amiss. There might well be a great 10 song album in amongst the sprawl. As it is you’re in danger of drifting off before some of the best bits come around.

Links:
http://www.conoroberst.com/
http://www.wichita-recordings.com/
http://www.myspace.com/conoroberst