Sounds: Pedal steel, mandolin and harmonica flavored alternative country of
varying tempos; acoustic folk songs; Conor Oberst’s angsty, poetic lyrics with
quivering vocals
Notes: This was released simultaneously, but separately with Bright Eyes
Digital Ash In A Digital Urn; Emmylou Harris sings on “We Are Nowhere, And It’s Now,” “Another Travelin’ Song,” and “Landlocked Blues“
Heavy Rotation tracks: All of them, except “Poison Oak”
Recommended: This doesn’t have the jaw-dropping variety of Lifted or The Story Is In the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground (my #2 album of 2002), but the stripped-down setting puts even more attention on the fact that Conor Oberst is the greatest songwriter of his generation. His lyrics are so poignant, insightful and creative, you’ll either weep or sit back stunned each time you hear them.
Grade: A (Strong candidate for the Top 10 Albums of 2005)

(As posted 3/7/05 and updated 1/2/06 on davepowersmusic.com)
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