User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 214 Ratings
User score distribution:
-
Positive: 177 out of 214
-
Mixed: 14 out of 214
-
Negative: 23 out of 214
Review this album
-
-
Please sign in or create an account before writing a review.
-
-
Submit
-
Check Spelling
- User score
- By date
- Most helpful
-
36ThoughtlessJan 5, 2006
-
-
JonHFeb 2, 2005While I enjoyed the album it didn't effect me as much as Lifted... did, didn't have the same emotional empact that that one gave me, still though, there some solid material here.
-
-
EBFeb 3, 2005Lovely.
-
-
EdwardEMar 2, 2005I bought 'Lifted' long ago & despised the incessant whining & lack of songcraft. Although Oberst seems to be pulling his ideas together more melodically & sonically with this release, I still think he should employ a singer to convey his thoughts.
-
-
ZachL.Jul 5, 2005One of the best albums of the year. I can't believe some idiot even suggested good charolette was anything even remotely like him. Good Charolette is some of the lowest of the low. Get your standards right, buddy.
-
-
ChrisFJan 30, 2005
-
-
SueMFeb 15, 2005I've never been much of a fan of country-style music, more into alternative rock, but Conor Oberst opened my ears and mind with "I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning". He is a storyteller and the emotion really comes through here.The more I listen, the more I love it!
-
-
giuliaFeb 7, 2005all in all´its a good record, i will go to a bright eyes concert in about one month, and i m happy about it.
-
-
JimBMar 9, 2005the new dyan?...my friend he is much bettter than that!
-
-
TimFApr 8, 2005
-
-
StuartYJun 24, 2005Best album of 2005 so far. Sheer joy, from the folksy strumming of the opener to the angry, ecstatic noise of the finisher. Let's hope that next time round they get proper mainstream recognition.
-
-
EdMAug 23, 2005I hate to say it, but this album is borderline terrible, full of folk music at its most self-important and least interesting. Compared to something like Sufjan Stevens' Illinoise, which is bursting with ideas, Bright Eyes' cloying lyrics and empty strumming sound mostly like a whiny teenager. There really is a clear line between singers who have maturity and those who try to force it.
-
-
DavidPApr 8, 2006I have an academic respect for this album, but unfortunately it falls far short of what I expected musically, given the high praise it has received. The meaningful lyrics don't do much for me without compelling music, and the music is far from compelling.
-
-
mattfOct 11, 2005this is one of the best albums i have ever owned. i will admit, it took me a good four listens to really appreciate it, but now, i swear, it has probably moved into my top five favorite albums of all-time. the lyrics on this cd are unmatched. He's not Dylan, granted, but he is a marvelous departure from the blythe repititous indie world.
-
-
JDrofOct 22, 2005It is amazing and not as emo as fevers and mirrors makes you feel his deppresion
-
-
TimBJan 23, 2005breathtaking
-
-
jasonwJan 24, 2005musically its a notch above mediocre.......lyrically, unmatched in the last decade. guess im bias because he reminds me of myself in the young, rhetorical, and good looking kind of way (me being a smartass)....but he is quite the lyracist. keep it up conor
-
-
margoJan 24, 2005All in all a great album.. I picked it up at one of his concerts and it's absolutely amazing. Each song is beautiful and I would highly recommend it.
-
-
CassiusClayJan 25, 2005Album of the year!
-
-
ChadSJan 29, 2005
-
-
MarkJan 30, 2005The only reason this disc doesn't get a 0 is because sadly there is another worse than it... Digital Ash.
-
-
RobertRJan 30, 2005I find it interesting that the critics at All Music Guide find Celine Dion a gifted Canadian artist, while refering to Oberst's work as simplistic and plodding.
-
-
ChadVJan 30, 2005a honest, emotional, and brilliantly conveyed record. Bright Eyes carving out his legacy with each release.
-
-
kstewFeb 16, 2005
-
-
BrianKFeb 16, 2005
-
-
JebBFeb 28, 2005The next Bob Dylan? More like the next lowfat pie filling. Stop encouraging this whiner to put out mediocre records.
-
-
AndrewSFeb 3, 2005I really loved The Lifted... album. but this one feels there is something missing. Lyrically, Oberst is fantastic as ever.
-
-
JasonLFeb 8, 2005In the last two weeks I bought I'm Wide Awake, the remastered first Slits album Cut, and the remastered Here Come The Warm Jets by Brian Eno. By far I've listened to Wide Awake the most, which is as much praise as I can give it. Land Locked Blues is a thing of beauty, and several of the songs come close to it.
-
-
JamieSMar 2, 2005nothing special here, bad attempts at country and some of the worst dylan ripoffs in recent years. as in note for note ripoffs.
-
-
MichaelWApr 25, 2005Amazing album. Every song is fantastic. A classic that will be mentioned decades from now. Best album of the year already. Made me go out and download every single one of his albums
-
-
JoshuaMMay 20, 2005
-
-
GlennMMay 29, 2005This is probably one of the best albums i have ever heard. His lyrics and tunes are so amazing, and more deep than another other artist around right now. I cant belive some guy compared him to linking park?
-
-
DavidMAug 19, 2005
-
-
PaulGAug 22, 2005While this new album from Bright Eyes is pleasant enough, it does not justify the attention it has gotten nor the praise. There has been a lot of grooming of this young artist as the new Bob Dylan or what have you, but his work is too slight and for this album, (I have not heard the others) somewhat forgettable. One might look at Sufjan Stevens or Iron and Wine
-
-
PhilMApr 28, 2006Brilliant, I could listen to this all day
-
-
BobbyJJJun 26, 2006bad
-
-
ginnytJun 30, 2006I was simply blown away. Like the first time I heard the Decemberists, or Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins. It's is VERY VERY rare to find a record that is worth listening to the ENTIRE way through. Beautifully done. This will be in heavy rotation for a long time...
-
-
msJun 5, 2006
-
-
CJSep 27, 2007
-
-
LFirebrandJan 22, 2005Oberst at his best. Lyrically tight with no awkward turns of phrase, the emotions are lucid but more reigned in than on previous Bright Eyes records. The only miscalculation is the re-worked "Landlocked Blues," previously recorded as the superior "One Foot in Front of the Other."
-
-
victorhJan 24, 2005a solid, acoustic album that, though seemingly lacking in the emotion of earlier works, contains just as much depth found in the beautiful melodies
-
-
TMoneyJan 25, 2005simply amazing. his most beautiful work yet. (except for maybe fevers and mirrors).
-
-
JoshBJan 28, 2005This is the best thing Conor's ever released. It is a masterpiece and will most definitely stand the test of time. The lyrics are amazing and the simple, beautiful sound will mesmerize you.
-
-
JacobCFeb 12, 2005Every moment of this album is perfect.
-
-
TonySFeb 18, 2005This is a great work-and just blow past all the hype and listen-really listen to this and let it lyrically, musically take you along to the worlds it presents. I was not prepared for the artistry here. Like the couple plunging 30,000 feet in the brilliant opener "At The Bottom of Everything" these songs are so filled with life.
-
-
justinbFeb 18, 2005classic cd
-
-
TristramFeb 19, 2005
-
-
brendanhFeb 21, 2005awesome
-
-
TimMFeb 2, 2005Such great stuff. Love the entire album.
-
-
KayleighHFeb 25, 2005Amazing, really. He has a mood everyone can relate to in everysong. I truely think its their best yet.
-
-
JimRFeb 26, 2005God this crap is boring. If you wanna here this kinda music done professionally seek out the latest M. Ward or Bonnie Prince Billy cds.
-
-
NateMFeb 7, 2005Amazing album. Buy it!
-
-
mattsFeb 8, 2005one of the best lyrically written albums i've heard in a long time, Oberst has echoed the voice of a nation
-
-
GrantWMar 21, 2005I can't believe how much he has improved since his first almost boring first album.
-
-
PhilPhilMar 20, 2005
-
-
NickRMar 25, 2005Terrible whinging music sung in a kind of 'Help, i'm so weak and pathetic' kind of voice that just got right on my tats. Digital Ash in A Digital Urn is definatley the better of the two.
-
-
markfMar 29, 2005
-
-
StooMar 4, 2005
-
-
SteveYMar 7, 2005One of the best albums I've ever heard. A beautiful collection of tracks that flow seemlessly. Truly a classic album that will be talked about for years to come. The start of what Conor Oberst truly has in him.
-
-
BillWApr 1, 2005
-
-
JamesApr 14, 2005A beautiful record thats much more polished than his earlier albums. I'm not sure when it became cool to hate this guy but he's a marvelous song writer who is going to continue to make great music long into the future.
-
-
[Anonymous]Apr 28, 2005Great pop songs with great lyrics. Oberst's voice gets a little old after a while but there's not denying this is a great CD.
-
-
UhhuhhimMay 1, 2005"All Music Guide - guides you somewhere you don't want to be."
-
-
MikeAMay 6, 2005His best effort to date, great lyrics (This is the first day of my life, Land locked blues, ...), great melodies, Emmylou Harris, it has it all... Along with Springsteen's Devils and Dust, best folk album of the year so far.
-
-
ScottYJul 9, 2005Highly overrated...pratically unintelligible.
-
-
fayeAAug 18, 2005without a doubt one of the best if not the best albums this year. bright eyes lyrics have to be his best and his voice captivates me. cant say enough good things, and as far as him being anything like gc...plain stupidity.
-
-
JimWAug 5, 2005Beautiful lyrics. Very thoughtfully done.
-
-
LizJan 15, 2006Personally, I thought this was the best cd i've ever owned and bought. When I first listened to it, Conor's voice had this distinctive sound, and it made me want to hear more. I also love how the music makes you forget everything and it captures you, making you want to go through it again. This is a work of art.
-
-
cablesJan 18, 2006I just dont understand the hatred some people have for this album. it's fantastic. I hate emo, but i love this album. Don't lump this poor guy into the emo category, he's anything but.
-
-
JoeBJan 3, 2006This album is one of my personal favorites; I enjoy the rhythms and Oberst's vocals. He's certainly not the 'next Bob Dylan'--and to blame him for said label is not fair, nor reason to give a bad review. The lyrics are great, the instrumental is great. An all-around solid effort.
-
-
garibaldimFeb 6, 2006
-
-
LachlanWApr 5, 2006An incredible album. Probably Obhert's masterpiece.
-
-
AndyAug 16, 2006Its about time soneone got political. Another great effort from Conner, the lyrics will give you goosebumps.
-
-
NelsonDSep 9, 2006
-
-
ChadBMay 20, 2009Amazing.
-
-
haileyaNov 21, 2005This album is amazing. One of his best, other than digital ash. He's a phenomenal writer and the melodies in this album are to die for.
-
-
K.A.Nov 28, 2005
-
-
adamjJan 21, 2005Breathtakingly beautiful. Putting a Picasso picture into words.
-
-
ChrisF-TDec 18, 2005
-
-
JoshHDec 22, 2005
-
-
JeffBDec 25, 2005Fucking fantastic.
-
-
JonJan 24, 2005A stark contrast to Digital Ash, and not just because of the difference in sound. While Digital Ash is easily the worst Bright Eyes release ever, I'm Wide Awake is by far the best. The experimental approach to Digital Ash is admirable, but I think it is now clear what Bright Eyes should be sticking to; raw emotionl alt-country.
-
-
DelboySJan 25, 2005I have yet to understand the hype surrounding the obvious but uneven talents of Oberst. While this album is well written, it is hardly a masterpiece and it is only the talents of Emmylou Harris that make this more than an average record. The best I can say about this album is that Oberst finally stops whining like a kitten caught in a combine and actually sings.
-
-
lorenJan 25, 2005Simply brilliant, a timeless album that encapsulates a generation more vividly than any other could
-
-
JayHJan 25, 2005Connor Oberst shows his ingenuity and talent in I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning. His use of folk music, combined with his beautiful lyrics make this album worth buying twenty times over.
-
-
ewrfdfvOct 25, 2005what a baby
-
-
AshleyMJan 26, 2005This album shows his growth as an artist. Extrordinary
-
-
ericmJan 26, 2005Someone needs to beat this kid up.
-
-
EmiliaBJan 26, 2005
-
-
JosephKJan 27, 2005The gentle, perfectly engineered, unbearably sad and honest album he's been building towards his whole life. Better than Fevers and Mirrors, which is saying plenty. A thousand times more focused and vulnerable than Lifted... Don't hesitate on this one.
-
-
ChadBJan 28, 2005Amazing.
-
-
JulieCFeb 14, 2005
-
-
PaulLMar 12, 2005Great songcraft and very tuneful, but ultimately it's one of those albums you leave in your CD rack after a month of listening and never feel like listening to again. It won't move you but it's nice enough.
-
-
LaunceRMar 15, 2005By turns exuberant, melancholy, bitter and sweet, Oberst scores with this disc. Emmylou's presence is a special treat.
-
-
BryanMMar 15, 2005"I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning" is Conor's best work yet. Every song on this folk rock masterpiece is spectacular. My favorite tracks include "Old Soul Song", "Land Locked Blues", "Poison Oak", and "Road To Joy".
-
-
JohnoMar 24, 2005Absolutely marvellous. If you ever bump into this guy, buy him a beer and don't mention Dylan. He's one of the greatest songwriters around. Check out 'Fevers & Mirrors' and 'Lifted' too.
-
-
MikeJApr 28, 2005weak. It seems this record is just the forced wishes of a society who desperately needs some kid of pretentious folk singer tobe the light in dark times. That is a noble cause, but lets make sure there is actual talent behind the person.
-
-
StevenWAug 28, 2005
-
-
ZackASep 26, 2005Bright Eyes really just annoys me. His voice sound just too forced to be authentic. He is trying too hard to fit that mold of the "next Bob Dylan" that all these short-sighted (no pun intended) reviewers have constructed.
-
-
alexyJan 27, 2006simply amazing - the music is superb, and the words are equally amazing. just by reading the lyrics, you can tell that conor oberst is a genius.
-
Awards & Rankings
-
Bright Eyes may well be on the verge of finally bridging the gap between his precocious talent and the maturity of an ageless songwriter.
-
Far from being the second coming of Dylan, Oberst is as precious as Paul Simon, but without any sense of rhyme or meter or gift for imagery, puking out lines filled with cheap metaphors and clumsy words that don't scan.
-
A culmination of Bright Eyes' decade-long habit of reviving folk-rock conventions and social engagement for a generation raised on the celebratory egomania of rap and reality television.