Buy: Monsters Of Folk (Only $7.99)

By Jodi Root

I used to love Conor Oberst because he helped feed my sadness. Feeling lonesome or just overall angst, I’d pop in any Bright Eyes disc and be swept away in my feelings of self-contempt, emotional emptiness or just consumed by my overall early 20-something girldom. I mean, sure, there were a few songs that weren’t necessarily sad, the more upbeat, folky dishwashing soundtrack—but overall, Conor was my self pity train. He was my doe-eyed, young indie genius crush. I had magazine tear-outs tacked behind my futon bed and I would lustily gaze at his photographs from Spin, Rolling Stone, or what have you, for hours on end. Well, eventually the inevitable happened—he grew up. And so did I.

Last night I wasn’t really sure or prepared for what I would witness at Chicago’s Metro when Conor Oberst brought along some friends from the Mystic Valley Band. Would there be some Desaparecidos moments? Probably not. Some sneak previews of Monsters of Folk? Who knows. BRIGHT EYES???? Well, no—not really. It was Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, as promised. And while I won’t lie and say I wasn’t hoping for “Lua” or “Road to Joy” to make a guest appearance, I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed myself regardless. I have to admit, while I did pick up Conor’s October self-titled release, I wasn’t even aware of Outer South’s May release until 3 days ago—so going into this show, I knew a lot of the material would probably go over my head. But it was still Conor, so I was indebted anyhow.

Kicking things off right on the 10:00 pm mark, Oberst and crew started their alt-country party with “Moab.” Several additional tracks from the October release followed suit, including my faves “NYC-Gone, Gone,” “Souled Out,” “Sausalito” and the ridiculously super fun and upbeat “I don’t want to die (in a hospital).” I couldn’t tell you exactly which tracks from Outer South were accounted for, but I did listen enough to pick out “Nikorette,” which by the way, is damn near impossible to stand still for—with the piano/guitar layer work on this track, you can’t help but shake your shoulders and tap your feet. (Well, maybe the bored/confused indie teens on the main floor could resist—but something tells me they were also hoping for the legacy of this so-called Bright Eyes to appear and help fuel their tears. I get it, I was there once).

The sound quality was super crisp, and the overall blend of musicianship from the Mystic Valley Band was more than uplifting, it was a damned near joyful hoedown. Everyone on stage seemed to be having a grand old time, stomping out some solid jams and it wasn’t until I was politely asked by a Metro employee to “respect my fellow patrons,” (drunken dancing, guilty—sorry guy I spilled beer on, my bad), that I realized how much of a fun time I was indeed actually having. Fun? Happiness?AND Conor Oberst? Man, I guess anything’s possible. I was also pleasantly surprised to see that he sounded more like Conor Oberst live versus the creepily comparable Tom Petty vibe that had been present in his more recent work. An overall tight show, I can attest that the live experience of the Mystic Valley Band is a more solid translation of their works versus via the stereo. There’s no stomping, jamming or smiling through your speakers, folks, you gotta get out to the front lines and feel it for yourself. How the tides have changed, Conor, when I think of you now I just feel alright. No more teenage sob fests for either of us, although I guess we’ll always have our past.

Related/Coming Soon: Monsters of Folk release album on September 22nd

Buy: Conor Oberst – “Outer South”
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Myspace: Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band
MP3: Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band – “Nikorette”

What great news to send everybody into the weekend! Monsters of Folk – comprised of Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis, My Morning Jacket’s Jim James and singer/songwriter M.Ward – will be releasing their first collaborative album on September 22nd.

I can remember seeing this collection (sans Mogis) on Austin City Limits years ago. During that performance they demonstrated what their collaborative songwriting would sound like. According the the press release, “The songs – some road-worn fables, some intimate and intricate with electronic elements, some woozy and sun-soaked – are everything one expects from these four musical minds collaborating together. The album exudes a warm, organic spaciousness, filled by brilliant choruses, intoxicating harmonies and effortless melodies, as each member brings his own strengths to the table to create one perfect whole.”

Monsters of Folk Track List:

1. Dear God (sincerely M.O.F.)
2. Say Please
3. Whole Lotta Losin’
4. Temazcal
5. The Right Place
6. Baby Boomer
7. Man Named Truth
8. Goodway
9. Ahead of the Curve
10. Slow Down Jo
11. Losin Yo Head
12. Magic Marker
13. Map Of The World
14. The Sandman, the Brakeman and Me
15. His Master’s Voice

Time to hook up our friends and Chicago readers. Muzzle of Bees has a pair of tickets to give away for both St.Vincent (Sunday, June 7th) + Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band (Tuesday, July 14th) at the Metro.

To enter, drop a comment with your name and which show you’d like to attend. We’ll draw our winners a week from today and notify them by e-mail.

Buy: St. Vincent – “Actor” + Conor Oberst – “Outer South”
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Myspace: St. Vincent
Myspace: Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band
MP3: St. Vincent – “The Strangers”
MP3: Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band – “Nikorette”

Conor Oberst readies his first solo release in 13 years sans his Bright Eyes nome de plum. The self-titled recording will be released by Merge Records on August 5th, with a huge tour following in support. Get there early because he may give away his guitar!

Check out the latest issue of Paste Magazine for an interesting look into the making of the upcoming record in Mexico with The Mystic Valley Band.

Myspace: Conor Oberst
MP3: Conor Oberst – “Danny Callahan”

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