Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning

Conor Oberst is the mastermind behind Bright Eyes and his folksy, acoustic guitar-laden album I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning will only increase the deafening buzz surrounding this amazing young talent. While still in his 20’s, the young singer/songwriter has managed to start a thriving label, Saddle Creek in his native Nebraska and release a series of critically acclaimed albums. Despite all of the hype and comparisons to such luminaries as Bob Dylan, Obert’s music is quiet and unassuming though it is richer lyrically than musically. There’s definitely Dylan’s poetic imagery and tendency to speak in paragraphs rather than simple rhymes, but there are also elements to Oberst’s musings that keep his songs anchored firmly in this decade. Conor Oberst recently located to New York City and he seems to have allowed the melancholy of the city’s mean streets to seep into his skin much like Paul Simon did with “Sounds of Silence” and “The Boxer”. The Bright Eyes’ song “Train Under Water” finds the young poet wandering the streets lonely, but still hoping to connect. When he belts, “I still sing Glory, from my lowest”, you can’t help but admire his determination to keep on keeping on. Oberst has already attracted quite a following and numerous admirers in a short amount of time. One of his biggest fans is country singer Emmylou Harris, who makes three guest appearances on I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning. The best of these is an on the road tune called “Another Travelin’ Song”. Harris’ slightly weathered vocals match perfectly with Obert’s earnest tones as he sings about how “the ocean speaks and spits." Vivid imagery is conjured up again on “We Are Nowhere And It’s Now” a song that overflows with feelings of isolation. “I’m always lost in thought as I walk the block to my favorite neon sign” goes the lyric about a man spending another fruitless night at a local watering hole. It’s moments such as these that finds the scruffy singer wandering into Bruce Springsteen territory. He can connect with the common man on the street, despite his penchant for poetic lyrics. While most of the album finds the music of Bright Eyes wandering to and fro looking for someone to reach out and touch, the record finds its strength with the wonderful closing song “Road To Joy”. With, for once, a strong beat (almost reminiscent of a waltz) Oberst sums up the moral, spiritual and just about every other type of crisis that his generation has faced. “My parents they have their religion, but sleep in separate houses”, he coos – and it’s devastating. Song goes on to showcase strong anti-war themes and then swells and crescendos to a close as the singer yelps with anger “I’m wide awake, it’s morning." He is at his best here, describing the chaos and confusion that comes with each new day. Bright Eyes may just become the voice of a generation with the release of I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning. Conor Oberst would probably shun such a label, but he could easily end up with it anyhow if he continues on his current path. He is the type of artist though, who would probably let such lofty titles slide off his shoulders. Don’t try to pin any monkeys on this guy’s back. He’s travels light and fast.