If anyone had been looking forward to Bright Eyes "the People's Key" more than I, please contact me so can shake your hand, it's quite a feat. Oberst has continually made music since the release of Cassadaga a few years ago through the Mystic Valley Band and Monsters of Folk, but while the band has changed, the folk has stayed the same. Don't get me wrong, I love the first Conor Oberst and MVB album, liked the second one, and liked some select songs from the MOF album and LOVE a good folk song, but the best thing about Oberst and Bright Eyes for me, was always the intensity of the lyrics and instrumentation. Whether it was horns and tympani's, digital sound processor, or an breathy guitar his music always became the focal point of whatever I was doing. In the past three years, however, I have found myself going far back into Bright Eyes' discography rather than popping in his most recent work. I missed the personality of the singing, the intimacy of the lyrics, and heart-wrenching depression that knocked you off your feet and dragged you into the album.
With "The People's Key" however, we get a rip-roaring explosion. A fast-paced race that flies by and leaves you wanting more when the record is over. It's only been a few times all the way through the record at this point, but it's looking like an A-grade so far.
Now don't go in thinking you're going to get Lifted 2.0, or any "twin record." This is new, different, and a lot of people will probably hate it. It has techno-flare at some points, electric guitar and fast beats, and doesn't have that orchestral sound, but its a new direction, and an interesting one. It shows Oberst hasn't settled into solely acoustic ballads and old-time story tunes, but that he is still exploring what music can do for what he wants to say. And even though it is Bright Eyes' last album (so they say), at the very least, it promises a diverse and exciting future for whatever Oberst decides to do with his time.
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