Released toward the end of 2006, a year that was unusually quiet for the unusually prolific Conor Oberst, Noise Floor (Rarities 1998-2005) gathers up 16 odds and ends Bright Eyes has released in the past seven years. Those seven years saw Oberst rise from indie wunderkind to indie superstar, but Noise Floor doesn't trace that rise, nor does it offer a complete chronicle of rarities from that time. It's a collection of stray songs -- things released as singles or B-sides, things that have never appeared before -- and it feels that way, lacking the overall thematic purpose of either of his 2005 albums, I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning or Digital Ash in a Digital Urn. Those albums were ultimately genre exercises -- a country-rock record paired with a Postal Service indie pop record -- but this captures a less self-conscious Oberst, which is often a better Oberst. Not that this will change any doubters' minds -- his voice and lyrics remain acquired tastes, especially when paired to winding folk tunes -- but this actually showcases a greater musical and emotional range than I'm Wide Awake, even if it still can succumb to solipsism a little too often. The allads remain a little turgid, but his cover of Spoon's "Spent on Rainy Days" has real venom and momentum, "Happy Birthday to Me" rambles by on a genuine weariness, his take on Jimmy LaValle's "Bad Blood" is Oberst at his classic lo-fi pop peak, and -- best of all -- the instrumental version of Matt Ward's "Seashell Tale" has a lightness of touch rarely found in his work. Such small but worthwhile revelations are often tucked away on rarities collections like this, and it's nice that Noise Floor emphasizes this side of Oberst, illustrating that when he's not trying too hard he's not half bad.
I don't know how I missed this but, apparently, Conor Oberst is releasing a new album in April called Cassadega. I'm really really excited! I bought Noise Floor the day it came out and I really like it. Say what you want about the fact that he releases a new album every week... I like having an artist I can count on to always have new music out. :) It also doesn't hurt that Conor has a knack fo...
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Just when you were overcoming the shock Conor's double realse, Digital Ash in a Digital Urn, and I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning, gave you, Conor busts out this album, an album full of rarities from 7"s, singles, unrealeased and the like. It spans his whole carerr, which is pretty interesting to me, as I've never heard a lot of the stuff off of "Letting Off The Happiness" and "Fevers and Mirrors"...
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i love this song. i've made other people listen to it and they love it too. no exaggeration, it can remind people of how good bright eyes is. its best when listened to on repeat. :)sincerely,nicole
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so school is back. only seven days til christmas break yeeeeah. that is sweet. im really bored here.i applied to biola and I really hope I get in but who knows. my pointer finger hurts me badly. ha. I can't wait for January 29 because Daphne is coming to norman which is kinda close enough for me to go so thats awesome. i love christmas. christmas music is great
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entitled something to the effect of the hazards of drinking too much friends can be rotten... i like the one with the broom
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Here's wishing everyone a fullfilling November 27th, 2008. Oh yeah, and thanks MOG!
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While I don't make it a habit of watching it, Friday Night Lights was on last night and a song they played really caught my attention. It was called "Devil Town", written by Daniel Johnston, and performed by Bright Eyes. This is some good stuff.
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I don't know how I missed this but, apparently, Conor Oberst is releasing a new album in April called Cassadega. I'm really really excited! I bought Noise Floor the day it came out and I really like it. Say what you want about the fact that he releases a new album every week... I like having an artist I can count on to always have new music out. :) It also doesn't hurt that Conor has a knack fo...
More >
i love this song. i've made other people listen to it and they love it too. no exaggeration, it can remind people of how good bright eyes is. its best when listened to on repeat. :)sincerely,nicole
More >
Just when you were overcoming the shock Conor's double realse, Digital Ash in a Digital Urn, and I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning, gave you, Conor busts out this album, an album full of rarities from 7"s, singles, unrealeased and the like. It spans his whole carerr, which is pretty interesting to me, as I've never heard a lot of the stuff off of "Letting Off The Happiness" and "Fevers and Mirrors"...
More >
so school is back. only seven days til christmas break yeeeeah. that is sweet. im really bored here.i applied to biola and I really hope I get in but who knows. my pointer finger hurts me badly. ha. I can't wait for January 29 because Daphne is coming to norman which is kinda close enough for me to go so thats awesome. i love christmas. christmas music is great
More >
This is a very rare song by Conner. You can only find it on the vinyl version of noise floor, which is a collection of his rare songs. Seems somewhat arbitrary to release a cd of rare songs but leave off certain songs only to be put on vinyl. I think thats what makes it so much better.
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Check out this cover of Devil Town by Daniel Johnston performed by Bright Eyes!
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 "Noise Floor (Rarities 1998-2005)")
