Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was

by Bright Eyes

Overview

After the release of their 2011 album The People's Key, Bright Eyes disappeared. The Omaha, Nebraska band had grown from their start as an outlet for teenage songwriter Conor Oberst into a genre-defining institution of angsty, emotive indie folk that could take experimental turns without warning. Oberst's wavering vocals and high-drama lyricism were eventually joined by contributions from official bandmates Mike Mogis and Nate Walcott. All three continued various creative endeavors after 2011, but it had been decided at some point that Bright Eyes was done until the trio reconvened. That reconvening comes with Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was, the group's tenth studio and first new material in nine years. What's most striking about the 14 tracks that make up Down in the Weeds is how in line they are with Bright Eyes albums past. Returning after almost a decade off to a project known for bold left turns and unexpected shifts in approach could have more likely resulted in a brand new sound, but instead elements from most of Bright Eyes' best-loved phases show up in updated forms. Oberst's heartaching, Dylan-channeling folk that was spiked with weird field recordings on 2002 breakthrough album Lifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground can be heard in "Stairwell Song" and the dour, swaying "Persona Non Grata." The canned laugh tracks and bizarre found sounds on intro track "Pageturner's Rag" also recall the cryptic atmospheres Oberst explored on his early-2000s material. The triumphant string and horn arrangements of "Dance and Sing" harken back to 2007's Cassadaga, and there are hints of the band's flirtations with electronic sounds sprinkled throughout. In addition to the familiar styles, Bright Eyes break plenty of new ground as well. "Marina Trench" throws everything at the wall at once, with bass synths burbling along to hyperactive drum patterns for a song unlike anything the band have aimed for before. "One and Done" is a typically downtrodden Oberst song, but echoey clattering rhythms, noisy sound effects, and uncharacteristically funky bass gather around the wounded melody for an over-the-top presentation. Down in the Weeds avoids being either a phoned-in nostalgia trip or a wildly new direction that would alienate fans. Instead it continues Bright Eyes' evolution without skipping a beat, and manages to be one of their stronger records in the process. ~ Fred Thomas

Product Details

Release Date:	08/21/2020
Label:	Dead Oceans
UPC:	0656605363097

Tracks

1. Pageturners Rag
2. Dance and Sing
3. Just Once in the World
4. Mariana Trench
5. One and Done
6. Pan and Broom
7. Stairwell Song
8. Persona Non Grata
9. Tilt-A-Whirl
10. Hot Car in the Sun
11. Forced Convalescence
12. To Death's Heart (In Three Parts)
13. Calais to Dover
14. Comet Song

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Bright Eyes   Primary Artist
Gerry Hilera   Violin
Donald Foster   Clarinet
Dan McCarthy   Piano
Macey Taylor   Bass
Jessica E. Guideri   Violin
Miwi La Lupa   Vocals
Susan Sanchez   Vocals
Michael Harris   Vocals
Charlie Tyler   Cello
Joe Fuchs   Bagpipes
Joe Todero   Bagpipes
Johanna Bornstein   Flute
Malcolm Wilbur   Bagpipes
Nancy Oberst   Vocals
Tammy Hatwab   Violin
Jason McGee   Choir/Chorus
Natalie Leggett   Violin
Andy LeMaster   Vocals
Michelle Richards   Violin
Nina Evtuhov   Violin
Conor Oberst   Piano,Vocals,Guitar (Acoustic)
Robert Brophy   Viola
Jacqueline Brand   Violin
Flea   Bass
Jon Theodore   Drums,Timpani,Percussion
Rodney Wirtz   Viola
John Wittenberg   Violin
Paul Cartwright   Violin
Tom Lea   Viola
Jesca Hoop   Vocals
Roberto Cani   Violin
Dane Little   Cello
Suzie Katayama   Conductor
Mike Mogis   Banjo,Hammer,Dulcimer,Bajo Sexto,Marxophone,Percussion,Pedal Steel,Synthesizer Bass,Guitar (Electric)
Ana Landauer   Violin
Nathaniel Walcott   Piano,Trumpet,Mellotron,Omnichord,Orchestra,Flugelhorn,Vibraphone,Harpsichord,Synthesizer,Organ (Hammond),Piano (Electric)
Jenny Takamatsu   Violin
Corina Figueroa Escamilla   Vocals
John Mitchell   Bass,Sax (Baritone)
Luke Maurer   Viola

Technical Credits

Miwi La Lupa   Lyricist
Michael Harris   Engineer
Aaron Gum   Assistant Engineer
Christopher Cerullo   Assistant Engineer
Zack Nipper   Artwork
Nik Fackler   Assistant Engineer
Rob Walters   Photography
Bob Ludwig   Mastering
Conor Oberst   Lyricist,Group Member
Bright Eyes   Composer,Producer
Steve Churchyard   Engineer
Mike Mogis   Mixing,Engineer,Programming,Group Member
Nathaniel Walcott   Group Member,Choir Arrangement,Orchestral Arrangements