Fresh out of Omaha, Nebraska Bright Eyes are back with their first studio effort in 4 years, The People's Key. The follow up to 2007's Cassadaga finds the indie folk band continuing to bring their unique blend of folk rock to their open minded and devoted audience who have followed Conor Oberst and Co. over the years and have seen him develop into a seasoned folk veteran, and this album furthers his musical progression that has been prominently displayed on his last few studio albums.
The album kicks off with "Firewall" a standard issue, powerful folk ballad that gives the listener a glimpse into the sounds of Conor Oberst, whose gritty yet powerful vocals add a resourceful dynamic to each and every Bright Eyes song and one that has become their hallmark and their most identifiable characteristic. "Shell Games" adds a hint of piano into the mix and even some synthesizers sneak their way into the mix which seem to come out of nowhere, but it's a welcome surprise for the listener who can appreciate the musical risks that Conor and the band have undertaken on this particular track. "Approximate Sunset" is a melancholy, dreary track that features simple folk melodies layered over Conor's poignant and prominent vocals that stand out amidst all the flurry from the scattered instrumentation strewn about throughout the track.
The disc's second half starts off with my favorite track off the disc "A Machine Spiritual (In The People's Key)" a pleasant, optimistic sounding track that features vivacious acoustic guitars and Conor's vocals once again doing their job beautifully on this one. "Beginner's Mind" is a reflective, introspective number that features simple acoustic guitar arrangements and Conor's vocals echoing prominently at various points throughout the song. "Ladder Song" is a piano laden track that dims the lights low a bit and lets Conor's vocals stand front and center and it also shows what a talented musician and person he is inside and out. The album's final track "One For You, One For Me" is a more melodic, defined track that is also a culmination of all the different sounds that we've heard so far and how that distinct diversity has blended together to create something that works together pretty well. Folk music today is undergoing a sort of renaissance with acts like The Avett Brothers and Mumford & Sons enjoying increased exposure, especially from the mainstream media. Bright Eyes can also be added to that group of musicians who are all helping to add a more organic component to music that is noticeably absent and sorely needed today, something that can offer up some escape from the doldrums of our everyday lives.
Looking back, a solid and well thought out effort from Bright Eyes, who have continued to advance musically on each and every album they make and have blended together different influences while still maintaining that folk sensibility that has defined who they are since they began their careers.
Album Score: 3.5/5
Track Listing:
- Firewall
- Shell Games
- Jujune Stars
- Approximate Sunlight
- Haile Selassie
- A Machine Spiritual (In The People's Key)
- Triple Spiral
- Beginner's Mind
- Ladder Song
- One For You, One For Me
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