Outer South

by Conor Oberst, Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band

Overview

Conor Oberst's Mystic Valley Band initially seemed a bit like a busman's holiday, a way for him to throw off whatever expectations he had as Bright Eyes, a way to get a bit loose and rowdy. The Mystic Valley Band is turning into something more -- not quite a full-fledged multi-headed beast the way the Byrds were at their peak, but not Dylan pushing through the Rolling Thunder Revue as its undisputed leader, either. The Mystic River Band turns out to be a bit of an oddity: a group with a clear-cut leader that manages to seem egalitarian, particularly here on Outer South where Oberst recedes from the spotlight on a whopping six of the 16 tracks, letting his bandmates sing their own songs. This behavior is atypical for singer/songwriters, but it fits the spirit of Outer South, an album written, recorded and about the road -- a roadworn cliche that always gets reinvigorated whenever its executed with gusto, as it is here, partially due to Oberst spreading the wealth. Having three other singers here makes Outer South a bit messy, but it speaks to what makes the album work: it's about playing, not the song. Which isn't to say that there aren't good songs here, as there are -- the ratio is as strong as they were on Conor Oberst, testament to Oberst's steady work ethic paying back craftsman dividends -- but what impresses is the spirit and the sound, how the band sounds like it's consistently on the move, not quite caring whether they're taking the direct route, as long as it's scenic. Oberst himself seems swept up in the motion -- he's dropped his vocal affectations, his grandiose couplets, he's happy to be leading a group that feels like a band of brothers -- one that might not always sing in the same voice, but share a sensibility, something that gives Outer South a big human heart. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	05/05/2009
Label:	Merge
UPC:	0673855034911
Rank:	39069

Tracks

1. Slowly (Oh So Slowly)
2. To All The Lights In The Windows
3. Big Black Nothing
4. Air Mattress
5. Cabbage Town
6. Ten Women
7. Difference Is Time
8. Nikorette
9. White Shoes
10. Bloodline
11. Spoiled
12. Worldwide
13. Roosevelt Room
14. Eagle On A Pole
15. I Got The Reason #2
16. Snake Hill

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Conor Oberst   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals,Piano (Electric),Guitar (Electric),Guitar (12 String)
Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band   Primary Artist
Andy LeMaster   Vocals
Nate Walcott   Organ,Piano,Vocals,Synthesizer,Piano (Electric)
Jason Boesel   Drums,Vocals,Percussion
Taylor Hollingsworth   Guitar,Vocals,Guitar (Electric),Guitar (12 String)
Macey Taylor Sr.   Bass,Guitar,Vocals
Nik Freitas   Guitar,Vocals,Piano (Electric),Guitar (Electric),Guitar (12 String),Guitar (12 String Electric)
Corina Figueroa-Escamilla   Vocals
Nathaniel Walcott   Organ,Piano,Vocals,Synthesizer,Piano (Electric)
Philip Schaffart   Vocals
Corina Figueroa Escamilla   Vocals

Technical Credits

Andy LeMaster   Mixing,Engineer,Audio Engineer
Bob Ludwig   Mastering,Remastering
Conor Oberst   Composer,Producer,Audio Production
Gabriel el Chino Gonzalez   Logistics
Jason Boesel   Composer,Photography
Pierre de Reeder   Design,Layout Design
Justin Leeah   Engineer,Audio Engineer
Taylor Hollingsworth   Composer
Nik Freitas   Composer
Manuel Calderon   Engineer,Audio Engineer
Nathaniel Walcott   Composer
The Mystic Valley Mountaineers   Producer,Audio Production
Butch Hogan   Cover Photo,Photography
Jacob Feinberg-Pyne   Photography
Juan Luis Carrera   Management
Nate Krenkel   Management