Welcome Back Conor

Artist: Conor Oberst
Album: Conor Oberst
Release Date: August 5, 2008
Runtime: 42:03
Producer: Conor Oberst

Conor Oberst has been likened to Bob Dylan on more occasions than bear mentioning. Unlike his well-known predecessor, however, Conor has always worn his politics on his sleeve. In a year so politically charged as this one, one would expect much of the same on his latest effort, the eponymous "Conor Oberst." Conversely, this album sees the man that penned "When the President Talks to God" and professed his admiration for the president's "creepy, fascist agendas" during the Late Late Show at his most introspective and earthy. Perhaps this is the reason he dropped the Bright Eyes nomenclature that has previously been his pseudonym. In any case, the results are enjoyable.

Mr. Oberst's lyrics are as cryptic as ever, chock full of imagery and metaphor. Although I haven't personally broken into the singer's symbology, there is a definite introspection to each of the songs, or at least a majority of them.

The opener, "Cape Canaveral" is an excellent, sparse acoustic number full of nostalgia that rolls into the rambling "Sausalito", a confession of escape and love (I think?). It really doesn't matter, these are songs you get a feel for rather than lyrics you have to analyze cryptologically. The feel of the album is folksy country with a playful edge, perfect for a road trip through the desert down to Mexico. This is an admirable effort by Conor with catchy choruses and an overall positive feel (besides the excellent "Lenders in the Temple," which is an elegic song of contemplation over a solo guitar). One gets the sense that this is the environment that Oberst finds most comfortable. For evidence, take a listen to "Souled Out!!!" and pay attention to the singer's giggle at about a minute in. This is the sort of perfect imperfection that makes this album enjoyable and textured.

Arbitrary Alibi Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Bob Dylan Comparisons