The Perfect Wake-Up Call (I'm Wide Awake It's Morning - Bright Eyes)

Member Name: CatatonicStupor

Product:	I'm Wide Awake It's Morning - Bright Eyes
Date:	05/06/08 (36 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Exceptional modern folk

Disadvantages: Acquired taste with themes

Conor Oberst, the talent behind Omaha, Nebraska band Bright Eyes, tends to release an album annually from his Saddle Creek record label. Sometimes, it's a solo album, sometimes it's with another band; usually it's with Bright Eyes. In 2005, however, he released two: the electronic Digital Ash In A Digital Urn, and the folk-rock I'm Wide Awake It's Morning. Most people would be a little put off at the fact that there are now two albums, with the same release date, by the same artist, in different styles, but not me!

In picking up I'm Wide Awake It's Morning, I was introduced to a world of folk on a grander scale than just one man and his guitar. This is a full blown band affair, with drums, keys, basses, violins, trumpets, the lot. It's also an album true to folk in its storytelling; stories that come from Conor and his own inner demons.

Now, I think some people would be hooked. But, wait, there's more. This is more than just an album with music on it, it's an experience. Conor comes as a bit of an acquired taste, because of those demons. I wouldn't start thinking "He's nuts", but, the guy is on a bit of a mix of happy and sad here; mainly sad. But, surprisingly, that makes it a darned good album.

Chronologically, through the album, it starts off in one of the most solid songs ever. The nervous tones of Conor as he recounts a tale about an aeroplane bring you perfectly into his world, and perfectly into the album. Then, the music kicks in, and it just gets better from there. It has a nice balance of up-beat songs, and downbeat songs; full band tracks, and faux-minimalist ones.

I can't think of a better way to get into a band than a good album, and I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning is the best way to get into Bright Eyes. It has the biggest concentration of excellent songs, and it's a nice way to 'test the waters' of Conor's Saddle Creek powerhouse.

Summary: One of the defining albums of modern American indie folk-rock.