The Lincoln Log

Everybody needs an emo band on their play list that displays their emotions or makes them think. Chances are, you already have at least one emo song on your Ipod or mp3 player and you don’t even know it. Emo is now an extremely mainstream and broad genre, due to this, a few underground bands that choose to stay indie are changing their sound, since emo isn’t marketable anymore to the fans of the underground. You don’t even have to be associated with being emo to listen to this type of genre, contrary to many common misconceptions people have. Normally, I’m not too appealed by intense emo bands because they’re too emotionally depressing. Bright Eyes is probably my one exception.

Bright Eyes has just released a new country-inspired album titled “Cassadaga.” Personally, his newly-adopted country sound disappointed me and I had high expectations when I first got his CD. Conor Oberst fronts this band and is also the only constant member of Bright Eyes, where several different musicians accompany him. In this CD, there is clearly a newly found sophisticated sound. The line up of players includes many members from other bands just joining in for a few songs. Andy LeMaster from Now It’s Overhead, Ben Kweller, Gillian Welch, Janet Weiss previously from Sleater Kinney, Jason Boesel from Rilo Kiley, John McEntire from Tortoise and Rachael Yamagata are just a few of the people who join Conor Oberst in this album. Songs by Conor Oberst are usually strange for first listeners and Cassadaga is no exception. This first song of the album starts off with spoken word and mutated music in the background similar to that of his album “I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning.” Four Winds starts off with a very long fiddle intro, with an extremely country sound that Oberst is no stranger to, coming from Omaha, Nebraska.

The epitome of emotional and musical intensity drove him to fame seldom achieved by independent musicians from Omaha, Nebraska. His shaky voice hints at agony, yet is still beautiful. His music has changed to the extent where it could even be considered a different genre, shifting from emo to country. Since I’m not a huge fan of country, I can’t say that this album is up to par with my expectations. If you’re a fan of Bright Eyes, you will definitely be surprised when you listen to Cassadaga. I suggest if you want to know more about Bright Eyes, listen to Fevers & Mirrors, my favorite CD by Oberst.

Nevertheless, this CD still has some of the most brilliant music and lyrics I have ever heard, there are still some songs in which Oberst keeps to his old non-country sound, which makes Cassadaga totally worth the listen.