Bright Eyes’ latest EP release, Four Winds, is a small gift between releases which will be shortly followed up with the next full length from one of the industry’s most prolific young musicians. In the last few years, Bright Eyes fans have been treated to a number of musical metamorphoses, some more successful than others, but all executed with the passion for both music and lyrics that sets Conor Oberst’s music above and beyond.
Four Winds brings Bright Eyes back to some of the more country influenced musical stylings that appeared in small servings across earlier albums and most live performances. The disc’s starting song, “Four Winds,” is a thoroughly enjoyable country tune of the finest variety, sealed with Oberst’s trademarked wavering vocal angst. “Reinvent the Wheel” takes on a slightly more modern indie-rock sound, though with the piano presence is still an obviously folk-inspired tune that will have listeners tapping their feet and doing a bit of bouncing. The more ballad tempo track “Smoke Without Fire” is slightly less memorable, while “Stray Dog Freedom” takes on a heavy classic rock feel, with a guitar tinged edge.
The disc begins the wrap up with “Cartoon Blues,” a somewhat more standard Bright Eyes sounding (were there such a clearly identifiable thing) up-tempo track with an interesting cartoon shrieking voice in the background. The disc closes out with the slower, guitar folk sounding “Tourist Trap,” a lengthy tune with an echo added to Oberst’s vocals, creating the intended “smoky saloon” kind of feel. Whether you love or hate Bright Eyes (and I admit to vacillating between complete disinterest and utter awe depending on my mood), the boy’s got talent. This EP gives a preview to the new sound he is experimenting with. While classically Bright Eyes, the creation brings a much adored country edge fully into the mix, creating the kind of country-blues songs fans have been hearing hints at for years, and new listeners will find depth in.
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