Take It Easy (Love Nothing) by Bright Eyes
February 04, 2005 | 
10 Comments
The Artist: Bright Eyes
The Song: Take It Easy (Love Nothing)
The Album: Digital Ash In A Digital Urn
Released 2005
Recommended if you like: The Postal Service, Modest Mouse, Built To Spill, Beck, Flaming Lips, OMD
Conor Oberst (AKA Bright Eyes) is one of those rare singer-songwriters who has the ability to conjure mental images seemingly out of nowhere and tie them to a feeling that represents a memory you may have never had. Now, I more that realize that doesn’t make much sense, but I don’t know how else to explain it.
There are some artists who are somehow very visual with their music, putting images into your head as you sort your way through the rhythm and melody. When I listen to Bright Eyes this is what happens — I can see…
But anyway. You can tell I’m a fan. Well last week Bright Eyes released two new albums I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning and the album this week’s song is from, Digital Ash in a Digital Urn and it seems like people agree with me. They debuted on the Billboard charts at #10 and #15 respectively. Not bad for an indie! Yeah Saddle Creek!
So, as you can imagine, I’ve been listening to these albums pretty heavy recently and I’ve got to say I love them both. They’re not all that similar, except in that they showcase Conor’s talent. Of the two I think I prefer I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning but I think my favorite song is this week’s track “Take It Easy (Love Nothing)” from Digtial Ash.
While most of Bright Eyes work is quirky, very well written, indie-pop, many of the tracks on Digital Ash have a bit of an electro-rock sound. It’s not quite right on some tracks, but on “Take It Easy (Love Nothing)” it all comes together really nicely. It reminds me of O.M.D., a rainy spring-time in Seattle circa 1991 and seals. Again, not sure why, but that’s how it is with Bright Eyes.
I don’t know why, I just know.
The first two great albums of 2005 and they’re by the same artist. Amazing.
Filed under: Song of The Week
Comments
1. Maxine said:
This guy’s actually playing in Sydney shortly, so everyone round here’s talking about him. Your piece has been my personal Tipping Point for him, especially the “recommended if you like”. Better see if I can still get tix…..
Posted on February 4, 2005 05:32 PM | #
2. Brandon said:
Great choice.
I am addicted to this CD lately too. Just got the I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning CD in the mail (Best Buy was out .. so was Best Buy online .. so it was backordered).
I absolutely love #3 (Arc Of Time (Time Code)). The guitar in that one that randomly appears is awesome.
Posted on February 4, 2005 05:33 PM | #
3. Scott LaChapelle said:
Well, the only thing I liked from Conor were his earlier EP’s. Lifted and Fevers And Mirrors are alright, but, his new albums are some of the biggest piece of trash he’s ever come out with. In a lot of ways I think he’s really overhyped. People calling him the “next Bob Dylan.” His lyrics aren’t that great. I can’t recall anything off hand but some of his metaphors are really stupid and his lyrics sounds like they sprung right out from a LiveJournal.
The thing he lacks is the music. His lyrical ability is alright, but, he lacks the touch of great music. None the less, Wide Awake’s better than Digital Ash.
Posted on February 4, 2005 07:08 PM | #
4. Scott said:
About 6 years ago my brother was hanging out with a girl that was really into Bright Eyes and other indie rockers of the time. I guess she was a bit of a pioneer, because this guy really seems to be blowing up lately. I wasn’t into it back then, but I gave your song of the week a listen, since my tastes have changed some since then. Unfortunately, it seems they haven’t changed enough to really appreciate this track. It’s fun, by I wouldn’t listen to it unless I was doing something that reminded me of a scene from an indie film, like walking alone on a sidewalk in the summer. This is the perfect soundtrack to somebody walking alone on the sidewalk. : )
Posted on February 4, 2005 10:32 PM | #
5. Phil Thompson said:
I find it difficult with Bright Eyes to pass comment on their new releases too soon, as they are always growers.
What I like best about Bright Eyes is the sense of melody in all the songs that is only ever present in truly great albums. There’s never any fat on his albums and each song is as distinctive as the next.
It is difficult to appreciate an artist when everyone in the world seemed to have discovered them and is talking about them.
Keith if you haven’t already, check out Roots Manuva’s new LP: Awfully Deep.
Posted on February 5, 2005 09:10 AM | #
6. los said:
brighteyes is lame, though it was there for me when i was down and out… so i can’t cut it down as much as i’d like… whatever. music sux in general now anyway with all the ipods ruining “indie” music and collectors by the day… soon noone will appreciate music.
Posted on February 8, 2005 01:06 PM | #
7. SZA said:
Geez Los, a little bitter are we? You must be a sixteen year old who only likes things that others don’t know about. Bright Eyes was probably your ex’s favorite. And what on earth does the ipod have to do with the music that’s coming out. Oh, let me tell you–nothing. Nothing, if you really care about music and not listening to stuff that other people don’t know about because you are “so underground” and “you only liked their early stuff that came out 6 years ago.”
Anyway, the music for that BRight Eyes song kinda sounds like a skipping CD.
Posted on February 8, 2005 05:08 PM | #
8. Scott said:
OMD and Bright Eyes? Interesting …
Posted on February 14, 2005 09:34 PM | #
9. Chris Hester said:
I finally got this thru the mail tonight. (I got the other Bright Eyes album last week.) I decided to buy them both after finding Amazon have 2 free mp3s from each album to savour - they appear to be the best tracks too. However I was disappointed with the albums overall, but then I have only played Digital Ash once (and I’m Wide Awake twice).
I hope they grow on me as there is a lot of interesting things going on here. The only element I find lets the albums down is the very nervous vocals. On I’m Wide Awake it sounds like he’s singing in a freezing room or something, or incredibly shy about singing infront of others. Either that or there’s just a lot of fine vibrato in his voice. I hope he gets more vocally confident in the future.
Having said that, tracks like Gold Mine Gutted and Lua are ones I can’t get enough of. Definitely classics.
Posted on February 23, 2005 02:47 PM | #
10. szceoltdtay said:
bright eyes is tha shaznit
these two new albums are sum of the best music ive heard in a while
conor the next bobby D -most def
very unique and creative
if u like these than check out his other album lifted
love nothing is my fav on digital ash
and the first one on wide awake is highly addictive
Posted on March 23, 2005 08:48 AM | #
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