Bright Eyes Cassadaga
Bright Eyes’ frontman, Conor Oberst, has become something of an indie heartthrob in the few years since the band’s last album I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning gained mainstream attention in 2005. Luckily, however, he doesn’t seem to have let the ladies’ love go to his head. Quite the opposite actually, Oberst took a hiatus between the last and this latest album, Cassadaga, as time to find his inner self – even naming the album after a spiritualist community in Florida.
His spiritual experiences punctuate the album – from voices of clairvoyants opening the first track, to woeful insights such as “everything must belong somewhere” to heartfelt love songs. And, self aside, Oberst isn’t afraid to examine some of the issues plaguing his home and native land, crying about “the vengence of the sea” and war having “no heart”.
With guest vocalist Rachael Yamagata serving as a brilliant addition, Bright Eyes has finally found a balance between their overexcited early recordings and the under-excited recordings that followed. Cassadaga brings the best of both together.
Perfect for: Your next backyard barbeque Stand-out track: No One Would Riot For Less
Artwork and music courtesy of Saddle Creek Records
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