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Upside Down Mountain (Conor Oberst) - Review

 

By Kevin (@prufesuroak)

“Upside Down Mountain” is the new album Conor Oberst officially released May 19, 2014, has that sound that Oberst is known for, that jangle pop with 60’s folk revival Laurel Canyon sound (think Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Bob Dylan’s electric days or perhaps Jackson Browne or The Eagles); that mid 90’s Nebraskan sound that Oberst is known for.

The album opens with “Time Forgot”, a dreamy indie folk/pop number. Starting with a strumming acoustic guitar, followed by multitracked vocals to add a mellow, soft feel to the song. All in all a good song to start with.

Though the album stars getting interesting when the second song kicks in (for me atleast)

“Zigzagging Toward The Light” is the second song on the album and perhaps my favorite. There’s so many things right with this song, the lyrics for one starts with “I’m blessed with a heart that doesn’t stop…”, then there’s the music, a perfect mix of that jangle pop thing and that Laurel Canyon sound.

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“Hundreds of Ways” is one of the more poppy songs from the album. Poppy in a good way, uplifting music mixed with hopeful lyrics. “But there are hundreds of ways to get through the day. There are hundreds of ways, now you just find one”. He repeats.

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Though mostly known for fronting Bright Eyes, Conor Oberst, 34 started out as a solo artist and released his first album in 1993, at the age of 13. Though “Upside Down Mountain” could be his “warmest” sounding album, a good thing of course.

“Artifact #1” is a beautiful song that has this beautifully composed acoustic guitar track, half strung half plucked perfectly riddled with beautiful lyrics almost as if it were a folk revival masterpiece from about 50 years ago.

“Enola Gay” is one of those songs from the album that can easily be mistaken as a good ol’ southern Californian rock song from the 70’s. It’s got the music and lyrics perfectly fit for a road trip. It’s got that good paced sluggish drum track and guitars that is quite reminiscent of bands like “The Band” and “Buffalo Springfield”

“Kick” more indie rock influence than any of the previously mention songs. It kind of sounds a bit like a Rilo Kiley song… it’s alright to think that right? In fact I confess I was imagining Jenny sing this song. What? They collaborate, they’re good friends, I can say that, right? That being said it’s a damn good song too and catchiest ones he’s ever written.

What it all comes down to is a good album. And it is good, it’s great! Some songs might even be “hits” and will surely be loved in some circles, and to those who love his music, will love this album. I’ve been listening to it the whole day and I can recite some of the lyrics from the top of my head, I’ve added song of the songs to my “late night drive mix” along with some Jenny Lewis, Dawes, R.E.M., Jeff Buckley, some Ween and the list goes on. This, if you we’re me means that there are good songs that I would listen to and rarely do they come along.