Lifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground

Amazon.com
Nebraskan wunderkind Conor Oberst writes songs so naked and heartfelt they make you feel like a voyeur just listening to them. This precocious singer-songwriter croons with the astonished intensity of a homeless Robert Smith singing for his supper. And his band's fourth album is every bit as lyrical, sprawling, and pretentious as its title. The production is notably brighter and crisper than previous efforts, with some songs, notably "Nothing Gets Crossed Out," lushly swathed in sweet-sounding strings. When Lifted is great, as on the slow-churning anthem "From a Balance Beam," it's superb, visionary pop music, on par with Jeff Mangum, Phil Elvrum, and Daniel Johnston--and on occasion, Dylan. Unfortunately, half the songs sprawl on too long or revisit the same themes too frequently. Still, anyone who can operate a fast-forward button will find much to enjoy on this vital, messy masterpiece. --Mike McGonigal

Product Description
Full title - Lifted or The Story is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground. Born in 1980 in Omaha and recording since he was 13, Conor Oberst owns a voice that quakes with the tumultuous energy that only youth can produce. Slipcase. 2002.

Lifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground,Bright Eyes,Saddle Creek,Indie Pop,Indie Rock,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

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Lifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground

Average customer rating: just wow. Wow Lifted, or the Story Was Daniel Johnston's SCREW ALL THE BAD REVIEWS Broad scope of Oberst's narrow view

Lifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground Bright Eyes Manufacturer: Saddle Creek ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Indie & Lo Fi | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: One Jug of Wine, Two Vessels Plans From a Basement on the Hill Home, Vol. 4 XO ASIN: B00006FRN7 Release Date: 2002-08-13

Tracks:

1. The Big Picture
2. Method Acting
3. False Advertising
4. You Will. You? Will. You? Will. You? Will
5. Lover I Don't Have to Love
6. Bowl of Oranges
7. Don't Know When But a Day is Gonna Come
8. Nothing Gets Crossed Out
9. Make War
10. Waste of Paint
11. From a Balance Beam
12. Laura Laurent
13. Let's Not Shit Ourselves (to Love and Be Loved)

Amazon.com

Nebraskan wunderkind Conor Oberst writes songs so naked and heartfelt they make you feel like a voyeur just listening to them. This precocious singer-songwriter croons with the astonished intensity of a homeless Robert Smith singing for his supper. And his band's fourth album is every bit as lyrical, sprawling, and pretentious as its title. The production is notably brighter and crisper than previous efforts, with some songs, notably "Nothing Gets Crossed Out," lushly swathed in sweet-sounding strings. When Lifted is great, as on the slow-churning anthem "From a Balance Beam," it's superb, visionary pop music, on par with Jeff Mangum, Phil Elvrum, and Daniel Johnston--and on occasion, Dylan. Unfortunately, half the songs sprawl on too long or revisit the same themes too frequently. Still, anyone who can operate a fast-forward button will find much to enjoy on this vital, messy masterpiece. --Mike McGonigal

Album Description

Full title - Lifted or The Story is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground. Born in 1980 in Omaha and recording since he was 13, Conor Oberst owns a voice that quakes with the tumultuous energy that only youth can produce. Slipcase. 2002.

Customer Reviews:

just wow. .......2007-05-31

I bought Lifted on vinyl recently and I have to say it must be one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard. Every song just pours warbly emotion and honest yearnings. The lyrics can be cuttingly blunt and oddly abstract, but they hit you where it counts. Conor's voice is an instrument in and of itself; I guess one of my favorite singers can't really sing, but it wavers with the intensity and earnestness you don't often hear from musicians.

Buy this. From start to finish it's endless poetry to music.

Wow.......2007-03-22

Give this one a few listens and it will stay in the rotation forever...having come late to the Bright Eyes party (after seeing him post-Wilco on Austin City Limits a few months ago) - and ignoring tremendous reviews in Paste, et al - I've got to say that Conor Oberst is outstanding.

Heartfelt is an understatement -- terrific music (even occasional steel guitar) -- lyrics to rival anyone...

I'm Wade Awake still Bright Eyes' best album, but believe me, give this a shot - you won't be disappointed (regardless of your politics).

Anyone with a remote interest in Ryan Adams, Gillian, Wilco, Sufjan needs to give Bright Eyes a try...

Lifted, or the Story Was Daniel Johnston's.......2007-01-03

Lyrically this album is near unparallelled in its blunt honesty. You've got to have a taste for the type of vocalization of Oberst's, a warbly jitter, or you'll instantly dislike the album. The music behind the lyrics ranges from Country (along the lines of bluegrass) to semi-industrial ("Lover I Don't Have To Love"). It has recordings that are pieced together from a lo-fi singalong to brilliant studio quality.

I have to say though, that the most compelling plotline of Bright Eyes' work here, or through their other albums to this one, is that Oberst has captured a page from the semi-obscure musician, Daniel Johnston. Agree or not, you can hear the resonance of Johnston's work, a decade later in the work of Conor Oberst's early works. I'd have to believe that if Johnston hadn't drown in obscurity and mental illness he'd sound a lot like Bright Eyes today.

"Lifted" is, in my opinion, currently, the definitive work of Bright Eyes. This is a great place to start if you are delving into their catalogue.

SCREW ALL THE BAD REVIEWS.......2006-06-28

Having listened to this album from a band I had never heard before I was at first uncertain, but it was listed as "inspirational" on eBay from a seller I liked. I listened to it on a plane headed for my new destination. The album took me on a musically/lyrically beautiful path. The songs have a soul and heart unlike 99.9% of most music out there. I can't compare it to their other albums since I have not heard them, but that shouldn't discourage someone from buying this cd. Indie music isn't mean to be rhymically perfect or rhyme. It shouldn't have to answer to any review on it because it stands as a testiment of music that must be heard and played. It is meant to save us from ourselves and this hell we live in(no matter where in the world you live). Even if it only makes you happy when you hear it, it has done its intentions. Music shouldn't have rules and if you want it to, then listen to every other kind of music they is regurgated by the corporate industries, but leave indie be. It just might save a wretch like me.

Broad scope of Oberst's narrow view.......2006-05-23

This weighty album finds Bright Eye's at his most eclectic with lush, sometimes over-produced instrumentation guiding the tortured vocalist through his trademark soul baring lyrics. The songwriting, while perfectly competent, even eclectically intelligent, does often become mechanized under it's plodding pace. Also, when Oberst fails to restrain his need to convey his awkwardly exploitive, emotionally fragile demeanor in the most bluntly pathetic manner it can often cheapen and disservice his overwhelming talent for such a young folk prodigy. Despite many overbearing faults this is an impressive effort that hints at the potential this artist has still only begun to hopefully realize.

Average customer rating: like a drug

Lifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground Bright Eyes Manufacturer: Jvc Victor ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B00006S2MA Release Date: 2002-12-02

Tracks:

1. Big Picture
2. Method Acting
3. False Advertising
4. You Will.You? Will. You? Will. You? Will.
5. Lover I Don't Have To Love
6. Bowl Of Oranges
7. Don't Know When But A Day Is Gonna Come
8. Nothing Gets Crossed Out
9. Make War
10. Waste Of Paint
11. From A Balance Beam
12. Laura Laurent
13. Let's Not Shit Ourselves (To Love And Be Loved)

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring a Bonus Track

Customer Reviews:

like a drug.......2004-09-24

Conor Oberst and his wonderful band creates such feelings which overcome and overpower the listener. As his voice shakes and shivers you can understand his mind for one second and then all is lost once more. This album draws its audience for more, like a drug, more...more...i recommend it to anyone with a passion for minds such as Oberst's. brilliant. perfect. and inspiring.

Average customer rating:

Lifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground Bright Eyes Manufacturer: Toys Factory ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B00006RTLE

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring a Bonus Track

Rap Music:

1. Lucky
2. Martha Wainwright [Explicit Lyrics]
3. Medusa
4. Most Wanted [Collector's Edition] [Enhanced]
5. Moving Pictures [Original recording remastered]
6. Mr. Hollywood Jr., 1947
7. Nick of Time
8. No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls [Enhanced]
9. Now That's What I Call Music! 18
10. On Ne Change Pas [Content/Copy-Protected CD]

Rap Music

rap music

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Round 3