Calling Conor Oberst "Bright Eyes" has never been fair to Mike Mogis and Nate Walcott, although yes I could look at Conor for days and see the light (nullus). The good news for Mike and Nate: that misnomer that probably will decrease in frequency with the release of Conor Oberst. The bad news for Mike and Nate: they aren't featured on Conor Oberst. Instead Conor takes instrumental support from the Mystic Valley Band (comprising Taylor Hollingsworth on guitar and Macey Taylor on bass), so named for the project's studio of choice, "created in a mountain villa -- known for Aztec Magic and Extra-Terrestrial Sightings -- called Valle Místico." Clearly Conor's digging on spiritual things of late (remember he titled Cassadaga for a Floridian community of spiritual mediums). If you didn't dig Cassadaga, though, don't let that thematic link scare you. Conor Oberst sounds very promising, and refreshingly loose and fun. You can hear two pretty great tunes from the record, "Souled Out!!!" and"Danny Callahan," at his site. Nothing like some alien sightings to bring some joy back to the songwriting process.
Conor Oberst - "Danny Callahan" (MP3)
Conor Oberst is out 8/4 on Merge.
UPDATE: Ahh, Nate actually gets some time on keys and trumpet (thanks RJonathon). So forget what I said everybody, just go back to calling Conor 'Bright Eyes.'
