Letting Off the Happiness

by Bright Eyes

Overview

The second full-length release from Omaha wunderkind Conor Oberst is a fascinating coming of age for a singer/songwriter whose respectability is chiseled in stone through his musical abilities. This ten-track outing is a lo-fi bonanza of heartfelt tunes that features musical contributions from members of such critically acclaimed groups as Neutral Milk Hotel, Of Montreal, and Lullaby for the Working Class. Special guests aside, it is Oberst's acoustic guitar and wavering emotional vocals that turn songs like the opening "If Winter Ends" into fragile masterpieces. There are also full-on rock numbers like "The City Has Sex" that help to push the envelope, and others like the Dylan-esque "June on the West Coast" that showcase the one-man band aspect of Bright Eyes. Letting Off the Happiness is a powerful record that manages to stay believable in light of the tortured emotions it tries to convey. It was recorded before Oberst was even out of his teens, but he shows the maturity of a songwriter who has seen it all, and for that he deserves respect and maybe a bit of incredulous inspection. This is a powerful record that has the ability to reach inside and identify with the listener, and while Bright Eyes went on to release some better-sounding and slightly more mature records, this one has the raw power to make people really stand up and notice. ~ Peter J. D'Angelo

Product Details

Release Date:	07/15/2022
Label:	Dead Oceans
UPC:	0656605158211
Rank:	38786

Tracks

1. If Winter Ends
2. Padraic My Prince
3. Contract and Compare
4. The City Has Sex
5. The Difference in the Shades
6. Touch
7. June on the West Coast
8. Pull My Hair
9. A Poetic Retelling of an Unfortunate Seduction
10. Tereza and Tomas

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Bright Eyes   Primary Artist,Drums,Piano,Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards,Drums (Electric)
Andy LeMaster   Bass,Guitar,Vocals,Percussion
Kevin Barnes   Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Ted Stevens   Drums
Matt Maginn   Bass
Jeremy Barnes   Drums,Percussion,Sound Effects
Aaron Druery   E-Bow
Mike Mogis   Organ,Piano,Chimes,Guitar,Melodica,Keyboards,Pedal Steel,Sound Effects,Drums (Electric),Multi Instruments
Neely Jenkins   Vocals
Robb Nansel   Finger Cymbals

Technical Credits

Andy LeMaster   Engineer
Bright Eyes   Liner Notes
Mike Mogis   Mixing,Engineer,Mastering