Conor Oberst returns to the familiar surroundings of Bright Eyes with the release of ‘The People’s Key‘ in what, if the frontman is to be believed ,may well be the band’s final chapter. having expressed his Americana compulsion first with the 2007 album ‘Cassadega‘ and subsequently with the likes of the Mystic Valley Band and Monsters Of Folk a change in direction was in the air.
As such this new album blend the distinct electro-pop and folk feeling that the twin 2005 releases ‘I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning‘ and ‘Digital Ash in a Digital Urn‘ offered to produce what is, potentially, the bands most accessible release to date.
In the past it felt like certain tracks were deliberately twisted to hide their underlying pop appeal from immediate view whereas this time round ideas see their full potential explored and given time under the spotlight. It is quite a departure from the band’s earlier efforts and offers a more concise outcome framing the vague lyrical content with a necessary song structure.
I get the feeling that a young Conor Oberst from the early 00’s may have stuck up his nose at the direction his music has taken for this latest release. Truth be told we all mature, we all grow old, and we all develop a taste for the finer things in life.
Without taking anything away from past Bright Eyes work ‘The People’s Key‘ is a fine release
