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Music Reviews: Bright Eyes, Owen and Low continue to shine

Date 2/24/2005 12:00 AM | Topic: Arts & Culture



Artist: Bright Eyes
Albums: Digital "Ash in a Digital Urn" and "I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning"

It's not often an artist has two records competing against each other on the college radio charts.

Bright Eyes, however, has done just that with the release of two completely different albums.

"Digital Ash in a Digital Urn" is packaged in a shadowy grey jewel case mimicking a disc full of dark, electronic, Postal Service-like melodies complete with the signature melancholy lyrics that the man behind Bright Eyes, Conor Oberst, is known for writing.

The sad tone of "Digital Ash" continues on the second album, "I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning," even as the music begins to lighten.

"I'm Wide Awake" opens with a narrative that flows into an album of folky, acoustic, alternative country songs complete with a guest appearance from EmmyLou Harris.

Both albums are experiencing success on the Billboard charts, which bodes well for the tiny label Saddle Creek, out of Omaha, Neb.

It is also good for the sad emo kid releasing two excellent indie albums.

Artist: Owen
Album: "I do perceive."

I don't normally classify eight tracks as an album, but considering the previous releases from Polyvinyl Records, this record constitutes a full-length with one of the longer track listings on "I do perceive."

Owen is the solo project of Mike Kinsella, the man behind the moniker, who has also worked with other Polyvinyl bands like Joan of Arc, Maritime, American Football and Aloha.

Each delicate acoustic track is crafted with carefully selected words that say so much with so little.

Kinsella's soft, timid vocals contradict the abrasive lyrics.

Cleverly titled songs like "Who Found Who's Hair in Who's Bed?" unleash emotional frustrations about a relationship in a raw, simple and precise way.

Even though it could be considered an EP, "I do perceive." packs in abundant creativity and beauty to rival any full-length album.

Artist: Low
Album: "The Great Destroyer"

As the seventh album from Low, "The Great Destroyer" could be considered the great accomplishment of Low's twelve-year career thus far.

Currently resting comfortably at number one on the College Music Journal charts, Low was hand-picked by Radiohead to open a few shows in 2003.

Having been around a while, Low is known for spear-heading the slow-core movement in the 1990s.

Their latest release, however, surprised even the most loyal fan with a hard-to-pin-down sound featuring rougher guitar and tight melodies.

These additions complete the sonic masterpiece.

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Lindsay Kimball

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