Album Rating: 4.5

Totally agree Feather, but it’s worth mentioning for those who don’t know that they signed a two album deal with Dead Oceans. Hard to know where they would go from here.

Album Rating: 5.0

If he ended his entire career on this note I'd be more than ok. I mean how do you do better than this. I honestly had low expectations coming in and only put it on as background music while getting some important stuff done; once I started to realize what was going down I just stopped everything else, turned this up, and listened.

Album Rating: 4.5

This has far exceeded my expectations and I'm a pretty big Bright Eyes fan. It grows on me a great deal with each listen - the second half stands out more than the first half to me in my initial spins, but really love the whole thing.

Album Rating: 3.9

this will never get higher than my fifth-ish favourite Oberst but glad to see people like it



Pan and Broom is def the weakest here, the vocal melody is literally Forest Whitaker by Bad Books lol

Album Rating: 5.0

I'm on my second listen now so I'll listen for it. You know how into Bad Books I am. 'Dance and Sing' is such an amazing opener jfc.

Also Rowan you'd best not be putting BOCC above this in that ranking.

Album Rating: 3.9

they're probably about equal for me, more or less. this might win just for having To Death's Heart lol



but for the record: Lifted and Cassadaga are his top tier and classics; Wide Awake, Digital Ash and Ruminations are second tier; everything else is third except People's Key and Mystic Valley Band which are way way way down

Album Rating: 5.0

BOCC had a handful of memorable songs but I feel like it largely failed to live up to its cast (Bridgers, Oberst). Cassadaga is part of the Oberst 3.5-core that I mentioned earlier itt, but full transparency, I probably haven't heard it in damn close to 6 years. Lifted was always my second favorite to I'm Wide Awake, so agreed wholeheartedly there. Oberst's solo stuff I've been less keen on following; I heard Salutations (which was also a 3.5) but not Ruminations which I know is a bit backwards, and I know I heard Upside Down Mountain when it first came out but I can't remember a thing about it (which doesn't necessarily mean it's bad, I probably gave it a once-over and never bothered again). People's Key is probably my least favorite Bright Eyes aside from the '95-'97 collection.

Album Rating: 5.0

update: Stairwell Song is still god-tier

Album Rating: 4.0

For me it's also on par with BOCC. I really see that project as Oberst's return to form (as it brought back some kind of spark for him) so it holds a special place in my heart. It's such a beautiful balance between Phoebe's sad but sweet approach to songwriting and Conor's angsty but more mature point of view. They complement each other too damn well.



edit: bumping this to a 4 on my third listen

Album Rating: 3.9

I wouldn't say return to form because I love Ruminations, but it was definitely a much needed return to his basics especially after the weird misses on Salutations. I also tend to forget about Upside Down Mountain but it's actually great - the bookends are some of his best work

@Sowing pop on a candle, turn off your lights, get some good headphones and listen to Cassadaga front to back. it's worth it

Album Rating: 5.0

Earliest standouts for me after a second run-through are: Dance and Sing, Stairwell Song, Persona Non Grata, To Death's Heart (In Three Parts) [side note, love the callback to Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here], and Comet Song. Whole thing is ace though...I have never been what you'd call a hardcore Bright Eyes fan - I've heard all their albums, but haven't latched onto them like you'd think for that sort of commitment - but Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was rewards all that patience and then some. It's such a me thing to do to review an album at a 5 (Westelaken) and proclaim it AOTY front-runner, then that same week award the same honor to a different album (and my love for this in no way diminishes my passion for that masterpiece!). What an amazing week for music tbh. Even The Killers album is excellent. What has this world come to.

I gotta be honest, I hate Dance and Sing-I just find it hokey and beige. Persona Non Grata and To Death's Heart are incredible tho

Album Rating: 5.0

What about Stairwell Song? That's one I can't seem to shake from my mind.

To Death's Heart is my early favorite here.

Stairwell Song and Hot Car are both very good too yeah

Album Rating: 4.5

Calais to Dover kills as well.

Album Rating: 4.5

Stairwell is a huge highlight for me, listened to ruminations and Cassadaga today after a spin of this and I think I’m officially in the super fan club for Conor. Got into a large Wikipedia hole where I learned a lot. He had a really rough period just before ruminations. Glad he’s been so active again, seems to be doing well.

Album Rating: 4.0

this feels like a way more self assured cassadega tbh ya.

Album Rating: 4.0

Super heartbreaking lyrics too wow. End of album does not disappoint holyyyyyyy .... Conor is back damn

Album Rating: 4.5

Bright Eyes have been my favorite band for 14 years and this album definitely lives up to my expectations. Great review, Rowan. I honestly disliked all the singles at first and wasn't huge on the leak either, but goddamn has this grown on me. I don't wanna be a negative Nancy, but I think BOCC and Phobebe are quite overrated, but I was surprised (and glad) Bridgers didn't show up on the LP. Flea and Theodores contributions really help the album and I think Walcott has pinned some of his best work here. Ruminations & Salutations were so fucking miserable, even by Obersts standards, but this album feels cathartic towards the many issues he's faced over the past half decade (divorce, loss of his brother, cyst on his brain, false accustations). My favorite BE album is Lifted, and much of the orchestration reminds me of that, but there's a lot of allusions to all their records. Feels like a culminative work for their 25th anniversary.

Album Rating: 2.5

sad boi is backkkkkk