Bright Eyes - 'Goldmine Gutted' / 'Easy/Lucky/Free' (Saddle Creek)
5/5
By: Kevin Molloy
Double A-sides, double-albums. Conor Oberst certainly doesn't like to do things by halves (unless those two halves happen to fit together into a whole, and could be broken apart in despair, but rejoined in a euphoric marriage of disparity and misfit-ness. Ahem.).
'Euphoric', certainly, is a finer word for his new material. That voice of teenage angst is still present, but so too are the masterful, magnificent lyrics that it's paired with. And those erstwhile slightly tiresome vocals have learnt invaluable and humbling lessons in wisdom and control. Success and acclaim may have reassured and mellowed the young man, but have only sharpened the genius of his output. Some will bewail his new sound, for gone here are the lo-fi highlights of 'Waste of Paint' and its kin - but remember that the world bemoaned Dylan's decision to go electric. Here Oberst and his entourage find themselves with acres of newfound musical space, and they dutifully set about creating emotional vistas and soundscapes to complement those ever-eclectic and insightful ramblings that we've always loved him for. Best of all, he succeeds on every score. Wholly satisfying? Not half.
Artists in this article: Bright Eyes
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