Conor Oberst Releases Second Album w/ Mystical Valley Band
So I just got around to listening to the new Conor Oberst album and I absolutely loved it. He’s like a freakin’ snowball, just getting bigger and better with every move he makes. Outer South, which comes out today on Merge Records is one of the most enjoyable records I’ve heard in the past decade. Now I’ve only given it just one listen, but in that time it has already surpassed the greatness of last year’s debut with The Mystical Valley Band. It seems they are becoming more of a permanent fixture in the Oberst musical sphere. He seems to be allowing them to influence quite a bit, and for the better. Oberst steps out of the lime light for a whole six songs out of the sixteen track record, and allows the vocal abilities of another MVB member to shine through. And shine they do, two of the strongest tracks on the album (“Difference Is Time” and “Eagle on a Pole”) had Conor in the backseat.
Straying even farther away from the early Bright Eyes sound, many songs off of Outer Lives, such as the incredible closer, “Snake Hill”, reminded me of something that could be found on a Counting Crows album in the mid-90’s. I absolutely love the way these guys use the electric organ on songs like “Roosevelt Room” with this jammin’ southern rock style they have going. I can’t wait to hear what these guys have in store for 2010.
The rest of the album can streamed here.
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Thanks for the review. I have to admit I was a little worried when I heard that Conor gave up some vocal duties to some of his band mates. Thankfully, I’ve been hearing some good word and a few not so good. I’m picking up copy today. I’m looking forward to hearing it. Thanks again,
A
sounds like the clash. “Nikorette” reminds me of “Lost in the Supermarket.” It even has a shopping for food reference.