Back catalogue: Rock (All)

Review: If you weren't already in love with Conor Oberst (with or without Bright Eyes) then this special outing on Dead Oceans is sure to change that tune, perhaps almost as much as the band changed theirs for a good proportion of the tracks on here. I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning was the outfit's landmark sixth studio album, unveiled in 2005 on the same day as their seventh LP, Digital Ash In A Digital Urn (how's that for confidence?) and is also available in a new issue today.
Sticking with what is essentially a side note on the era that birthed those records-proper, here Bright Eyes go all out on reworking Digital Ash tracks, retaining the sweetness of the first incarnations, but adding a sense of mayhem, chaos, and outright deviance to the score. The result is folk, boozy, woozy, and heady stuff. A little like walking into a bar on a cold winter's night to find familiar friends in full song.

Review: Cult American band Bright Eyes rebased their seventh studio long-player Digital Ash in a Digital Urn back in 2005. It arrive do the same day as their sixth album I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning and managed to peak in the US charts at number 15 and number 43 in the UK. Musically it is an adventurous record that takes in pop, synth pop, experimental, IDM, electronica and electro-pop styles and features contributions from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Nick Zinner and the Postal Service's Jimmy Tamborello.

Review: Bright Eyes' new album, Five Dice, All Threes, set for release via Dead Oceans, showcs their signature intensity and tenderness on full display. The first track, 'Bells and Whistles,' is a rollicking, anthemic bop that gallavants from NY to LA, with lacerating lyrics referencing Banksy, Princess Diana, and more. Conor Oberst's voice conveys a sense of life-or-death gravity, drawing listeners into the visceral thrill of the music. Self-produced and recorded at ARC in Omaha, the album features guest performances from Cat Power, Matt Berninger, and Alex Orange Drink. Bright Eyes continue to honour the album as an exalted art form, delivering songs that are confessional, unguarded, and imbued with emotional stakes. Five Dice, All Threes embodies the band's enduring influence and fearless evolution. The art does not stop with the music either. This beautiful package comes complete with red and orange splattered vinyl 2xLP (side 4 etched) in spot-varnished sleeve.

Review: Bright Eyes' Five Dice, All Threes is a remarkable addition to their storied discography, showcasing a blend of raw intensity and delicate introspection. The self-produced album, featuring guest appearances from Cat Power, Matt Berninger, and Alex Orange Drink, shows off the band's evolving sound. Conor Oberst's hauntingly urgent vocals drive the album's visceral impact, while the band's tight-knit synergy with Mike Mogis and Nate Walcott shines through. Embracing spontaneity and the chaotic energy of their influences, the album marries raucous rock with contemplative, psychedelic moments. Tracks like 'El Capitan' fuse Johnny Cash-esque rhythms with melancholic brass, while 'Tiny Suicides' and 'All Threes' offer novel, introspective turns. The album's dynamic rangeifrom garage-fueled anthems to intricate, jazzy compositionsireflects Bright Eyes' capacity for deep, emotional storytelling. Five Dice, All Threes is both a nod to their legacy and a thrilling leap into their future, celebrating imperfections as a source of strength and meaning.