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Conor Oberst has an experimental orchestral folk band with Bright Eyes.

Conor Oberst has a straight up rock band with Desaparecidos.

And now, even though the liner notes credit someone else as singing, Conor Oberst has a no-frills 80's indie-pop band with The Few.

Now don't get all frazzled - this really isn't Oberst's new vehicle. But tell that to Jack Burnside, singer/guitarist of said band. His vocal stylings [and ability to tell a story within the confines of a 3-to-4 minute pop song] are almost a complete mimicry of Omaha's native son, vocal warble and all.

But here's the thing - I loathe anything Conor touches for the most part, but I'm digging on this album big time. Perhaps it's the music? The best comparison I could make for this is perhaps the lost ground in between the Replacements and the Get Up Kids. Everyone knows the 'Mats were a big influence on the Kids, but it didn't seem to show up until "On A Wire" - this band seems to have skipped the emo pretense and just paid homage on this, their debut record. Occasionally, shades of early U2 show up in the trio's guitar parts [in "Worth," for example], but mostly the songs are all pretty straightforward.

Oh yeah, I should mention that Andy LeMaster turned the knobs on this release, making the thing sound great *and* furthering the Oberst connection [shit, the guy records everything Conor does].

So is this album worth a listen? I'd say yes. Is it the best album of the year? Well, no, but it's pretty solid, and makes me wonder just where this band will go next.

Oh yeah, and "Blue Eyes" is one of the best album openers I've heard in a long time. Go download it from Kazaa or something, at least.

MP3s
The Reason
Living In My Skin



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    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 29, 2003 at 5:12 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    conor oberst:(noun);bright eyes;hype
    see overhype;fuss;grapevine talk.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 20, 2003 at 6:12 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I totally dug this. Bright Eyes, U2 and The Replacements are all definitely favorite bands of mine.

    The album's great, but this band was even greater live. One of the best shows I've seen in awhile.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, June 9, 2003 at 10:13 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    i think the replacements are aces

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, June 9, 2003 at 4:11 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    "Occasionally, shades of early U2 show up in the trio's guitar parts [in "Worth," for example], but mostly the songs are all pretty straightforward."

    And the Edge was ripping off Keith Levene at that time... So its really Keith Levene guitar parts, circa First Issue PiL.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, June 8, 2003 at 1:09 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    yeah, whatever happened to U2... oh yeah they turned into a bunch of super-rich twats in between joshua tree and actung baby, which is probably why the later one sucked ass. Old U2 is sweet tho. October is my favorite.

    Posted by greyicewater on 2003-06-08 02:17:18
    My Score:

    This score is for old U2. I love it.

    Posted by maverick on 2003-06-07 23:00:32
    My Score:

    While newer U2 [pretty much the 90s on] is rather drab, I think their early stuff [Boy, War, October, the Joshua Tree] are all amazing albums.

    -Scott

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, June 7, 2003 at 10:55 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    just a small favor, please try to never ever mention the 'Mats and U2 on the same page. U2 is god awful, if only the Replacements had gotten the attention U2 had. There is a 'Mats bootleg where Paul and Tommy do a U2 Medley and switch all the words to talk about Bono saving the world with each song he writes...fuck U2, long live the Mats.

    Good review. I just needed to vent on U2 and my love of Mr. Westerberg and everything he writes.

    Posted by lieutenant on 2003-06-06 20:59:55
    My Score:

    Somebody posted a five star review, "for the replacements". That's so stupid. Alas, the score you see above - this score is for the Replacements. You would think the band deserves all of the senseless praise they get in a comments forum for another band. They do.

    Posted by greyicewater on 2003-06-06 16:07:23
    My Score:

    i got signed out again. that last comment was me.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 6, 2003 at 4:02 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I like Conor better. This isn't bad though. I like it.

    Posted by travis on 2003-06-06 14:12:15
    My Score:

    nice review scott.

    Posted by tenderbransonx on 2003-06-06 14:03:29
    My Score:

    The score is for not being able to find it Kazaa. After being teased.
    Steven
    get pissed about politics?
    www.murdertheturtle.com

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 6, 2003 at 1:21 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    this score is for the replacements.

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