Conor Oberst - I Don't Want to Die (In The Hospital) (Wichita)
2/5
By: Emily Kaiser
Conor Oberst has taken country and gone crazy on his new single, 'I Don't Want to Die (In The Hospital)' from his recent solo work backed by The Mystic Valley Band. We may have been able to see this coming from some of those Cassadega tracks when we were still comforted by the misery of Bright Eyes (I'm thinking of those uncanny violins on 'Four Winds' or the understated twang of 'If the Brakeman Turns My Way').
His solo, self-titled 2008 album does not deviate as drastically, with The Mystic Valley Band a refreshing compliment to Oberst's style. The single, however, stands out as an absolute melee of nonsense. Southern pianos are clanged almost frantically with a bass line that just can't keep up. Oberst yowls about smoking, drinking, IVs and soap operas. And while he's written some stupid lyrics before, I can't help but raise the repetitive "Help me get my boots on" to that proverbial pedestal.
Three years ago Conor wanted to kill himself in the corner of a New York City bar. Now I certainly don't invalidate a man's right to change, but, as struck loudly by the absurdity of this single, you'll excuse my doubts of his desire to 'get outside' and the validity of this summer fling with The Mystic Valley Band.
Artists in this article: Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, Conor Oberst
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