The Beat Surrender

Although Conor Oberst seems to have been granted genius status by the music press generally, I can’t say as I’ve been blown away by this prolific songwriter, he certainly isn’t the new Bob Dylan that some would have you believe.

Leaving Bright Eyes behind him for this album at least, he makes a statement of intent by releasing the album under his own name and self-titling it. That can mean a number of different things of course, from him seeing it as a defining moment, to it possibly being his most personal record to date.

Compared to other records of his it’s less complex musically, although he has recorded with a loose group of musicians known as the Mystic Valley Band, lyrically as well it doesn’t contain the usual political leanings which is a refreshing change.

I still don’t think he’s nailed an album that I could love and listen to again and again, although the more personal lyrics do give you more of a connection than normal, I guess though that is more to do with him being an acquired taste than anything else.