Conor Oberst warms the crowd at Jannus Landing
November 20th, 2008 by Eric Snider in Reviews
Editor’s note: This just in from our live music hound by B.Treotch.
Despite a nip in the air and, well, it being a Wednesday night and all, fans filled Jannus Landing to catch the Bright Eyes frontman’s latest musical offering: Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band.
The six piece ensemble, three guitars strong, produced an eclectic set despite sound issues that left the vocal mixes a bit muddy. Somewhat surprising was the band’s use of each member’s vocals — sharing lead duties on every fourth song or so.
The guys are unquestionably solid players who held their own with vocals, but the problem was that Conor Oberst is a tour de force and without his vulnerable growl it felt as if someone jut changed the channel.
Perhaps the highlight of the show was Oberst bantering about his group being a “fusion band,” then leading them through a tremendous blues take of “Corrine, Corrina.” This song also appears on their Gentleman’s Pact EP, which was available only at the merch table (and through the interwebs). Oberst — undoubtedly one of the best young American songwriters — and his Mystic Valley Band closed the show with a roaring version of “Hospital” and then brought it down with the beautiful “Breezy.”
Support act The Felice Brothers’ self-titled release is a worthy folk-rock effort, but their live show was spotty and didn’t do it much justice. That, or maybe it was because, beyond those packed in close to the stage, no one was paying much attention.
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November 21st, 2008 at 2:31 am
I have complained about this guy being a sham for years. But so many people who have never listened to the songwriters of yore still pleaded with me to take a listen to him live, give him a chance… Finally I gave in and took my guest passes and sat through a couple songs. Completely un-moving. Thin lyrics veiled as the profound. This little Emperor has no clothes of substance, just the Pitchfork smoke and mirrors. I here by charge him with high treason of art, manipulation of the values of indie-rock and getting away with it and general intellectual and emotional Fraud. A decent band, but I have seen way better acts at the New World Brewery on an off night.
November 21st, 2008 at 11:13 am
AF: I was going to bite my tongue on this one, but FUCK IT. You’ve struck my negativity nerve this morning.
I have a few of his records - Digital Ash in a Digital Urn being my favorite at the time. I wanted to give him a chance since he was all the buzz. But now, years later, I have to agree with you wholeheartedly.)
I think that Oberst’s affected (not effected) vocal delivery is to blame for a long line of bad emo/folk bands that have come along since. And lyrically, I think someone like Joanna Newsom or David Berman (Silver Jews) makes Oberst look like Jared Leto.
November 21st, 2008 at 11:28 am
artistic frauds: Great comment. Be curios to hear your take on other artists. Interested? Contact me.
wade@cln.com
November 21st, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Oberst jumped the shark long ago. the only thing i still listen to of his is Desaparecidos.
http://www.myspace.com/desaparecidos
their one tampa show at the orpheum back in 2002 was mind blowing.
November 21st, 2008 at 7:45 pm
artistic frauds
[tampa calling; 2008]
Rating:7.1
While no doubt going to see an artist that a) you don’t like b) don’t pay for c) you have to put up with 40 degree temps d) didn’t play his best show ever and e) who uses cliches better than you anyhow, is a road paved for making a night fantastic superb and spectacular. Nonetheless, artistic frauds has managed to create a sweet little drunken blog comment filled with laughter, pomp and the cleanest of circumcision.
Those fools who have collaborated with Oberst like M. Ward, Jim James, Emmylou Harris, Lou Reed, Norah Jones and Winona Ryder for God’s sake surely must enjoy the sweetest of red Kool Aid.
Pretentious, ass-hole and self-righteous - probably, but the guy has been song writing prolifically since his early teens - a fraud he’s not. Though dozens of the “fans” who ere non-stop talkers during the show were.
@Joran - please forgive my smuggery, but thanks for using actual examples. Don’t get me wrong - I’m no Bright Eyes fluffer. His whine can be an acquired taste and I’d never hold it against anyone if they didn’t like an artist (except The Beatles, Talking Heads and Radiohead). And hell, I can’t even make it through Digital Ash - I have no idea how that’s your favorite album. I assume you’ve given I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning a fair listen?
You mention Joanna Newsome while knocking his “affected” vocals? umm… Shes interesting for sure, but in that whole it’s different but not mind blowing way that doesnt do anything. Silver Jews? David Berman is a smart guy - he can write, but he doesnt move many people because he doesnt write great songs and no one cares about them because they’re so mediocre.
And, I don’t think it was a shark Conor jumped, it was probably Winona’s big brown beaver.
; ) love, BTreotch
November 22nd, 2008 at 4:09 am
fuck Conor Oberst and his whiney, pretentious, OVER RATED, songs.
I saw him in bright eyes a couple a years ago… had my mind open to experience what was being hyped… they blew donkey nuts. went home and sold my vinyl copies of lifted, wide away & digital ash, and have been better off since.
fwiw, the band that opened that show (fellow saddle creek alums), the faint, rocked my world.
November 22nd, 2008 at 1:26 pm
B.Treotch: Nice little conversation you got going here. Isn’t it fun to be ganged up on? I’m envious. Usually I’m the one having to defend myself. Great work!
November 30th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
I loved the show despite the fact that they played no Bright Eyes.
I know it was MVB but c’mon i expected to here at least a few songs seeing how he played for 2 hours