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Digital Ash In A Digital Urn
by
Digital Ash In A Digital Urn Image
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 86 Ratings

  • Summary: The more experimental of Conor Oberst's two releases in January 2005 is the electronic-flavored 'Digital Ash,' which includes some help from the Yeah Yeah Yeah's Nick Zinner and the Postal Service's Jimmy Tamborello.

Top Track

Take It Easy (Love Nothing)
First with your hands, then with your mouth A downpour of sweat, damp cotton clouds I was a fool, you were my friend We made it happen You took off... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 28
  3. Negative: 3 out of 28
  1. Alternative Press
    100
    Riskier but not totally out of character; it's the more holistic right brain to Wide Awake's rational left brain. [Feb 2005, p.81]
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  2. Filter
    88
    There are a few failed experiments... but these failures are punctuated by astounding moments. [#14, p.95]
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  3. The A.V. Club
    80
    Mark[s] a remarkable progression from Oberst's teen troubadour origins.
  4. ShakingThrough.net
    66
    Over-produced and (regrettably) heavily dependent on synth-powered '80s grooves.
  5. Rolling Stone
    60
    The good songs don't start kicking in until about halfway through, after many synth glitches and botched break beats. But once it gets going, it's phenomenal.
  6. Blender
    60
    Mostly, these electro trances... sound like an ill-advised quest to make a Williamsburg version of Dark Side Of The Moon. [Mar 2005, p.132]
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  7. Mojo
    20
    Ghastly. [Feb 2005, p.102]
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See all 28 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 45 out of 56
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 56
  3. Negative: 6 out of 56
  1. thewieve
    Jan 22, 2005
    10
    his best work yet, i like every song (with the exeption of maybe the first one). Don't listen to the bad reviews, it's seriously so good.
  2. robm
    Feb 21, 2005
    10
    a grower. not as instantly likeable as 'i'm wide awake...', but an intricate and original album of challanging and compelling music.
  4. davenbettridge
    Oct 9, 2011
    10
    My favourite songs on the album are 1)Take It Easy (Love Nothing) 2)I Believe in Symmetry 3)Gold Mine Gutted 4)Hit the Switch. The ending ofMy favourite songs on the album are 1)Take It Easy (Love Nothing) 2)I Believe in Symmetry 3)Gold Mine Gutted 4)Hit the Switch. The ending of the song Devil in the Details is also freaken brilliant. While this album is not the most beloved by Bright Eyes fans, I find the lyrics deep and incredibly relatable. Some of my favourite songs are contained within.… Expand
  5. RyanM.
    Jan 23, 2005
    9
    Unbelievable. It's a revelation for a guy who's made what I believe to be a string to dumb albums..."Digital Ash" is Unbelievable. It's a revelation for a guy who's made what I believe to be a string to dumb albums..."Digital Ash" is unquestionaboly the better between it and the "I'm Wide Awake" disc.… Expand
  6. EdwardE
    Mar 2, 2005
    8
    Oberst should always make music like this. His voice is less tremulous & the music experimental & exciting. I prefer this release over Oberst should always make music like this. His voice is less tremulous & the music experimental & exciting. I prefer this release over 'I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning' & much more than 'Lifted.'… Expand
  7. MichaelK
    Feb 28, 2005
    7
    I'd probably rate this closer to a 7.5. Am I the only person out there who actually likes Digital Ash *more* than Wide Awake? I'd probably rate this closer to a 7.5. Am I the only person out there who actually likes Digital Ash *more* than Wide Awake? There's some filler on each album, for sure, but I think both are pretty solid and find myself wanting to listen to Digital Ash more than its folksier freind.… Expand
  8. ScottH
    Apr 2, 2005
    0
    This album is so forgettable, the music rubbish, and his words are borderline retarded. I can't believe their saying he's the voice This album is so forgettable, the music rubbish, and his words are borderline retarded. I can't believe their saying he's the voice of the new generation. I've tried and tried to like this but it just got more annoying as it went along. The fact that it's getting such a great review on user comments shows us that they know less then actual critics ( who I've always hated ).… Collapse

See all 56 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

66
#66 Most Discussed Album of 2005