The People's Key - Bright Eyes
The People's Key Image
Metascore
70 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.6 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 27 Ratings

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0 out of 10
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  • Summary: The first Bright Eyes album in four years shows Conor Oberst sticking to his winning combination of indie and folk rock.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 35
  3. Negative: 1 out of 35
  1. Drowned In Sound
    Mar 21, 2011
    90
    The band has pulled off the difficult trick of sculpting a record concerned with weighty, complex themes and made it sound like the breeziest, most effortless thing in the world: a collection of fleet, shimmering pop songs; a master-class in sonic splendour; a bold, beautiful and brilliant reinvention that should surprise as many as it will enthrall.
  2. Filter
    Mar 23, 2011
    80
    He knows his job is to play us music, but he's got to do it for him, too. 
  3. Mojo
    Apr 6, 2011
    60
    Conor Oberst regroups with the band that made him. [March 2011, p. 94]
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  4. Austin Chronicle
    Mar 17, 2011
    30
    Oberst's voice trembles with the emotion of his youth, only ripped with spite instead of vulnerability. That solipsism has shifted to an even more detached universalism, which leaves little for the listener to connect with.

See all 35 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. jtpnyc
    9
    To me, this sounds like what I love about Bright Eyes yet something new at the same time. Seems to me that Conor and friends are filled with good ideas. Not sure how a Bright Eyes fan could not like this? Sounds great to my ears, love it!… Expand
  2. nicholkid
    8
    Oberst is one of my favorite lyricists. He some how conveys deep messages with simple sentences. I can't fathom how a critic gave this album a 30... on what basis are they reviewing albums? I also love the sermon that is sampled throughout the album, the ideas there are very interesting to me. Great listen.… Expand
  3. davenbettridge
    8
    My favorite songs on the album are: 1)Triple Spiral, 2)A Machine Spiritual (In the People's Key) 3)Jejune Stars. It took me a while to warm up to this album as it is a little whacked but when I did I can gladly say its good, and while it's not Bright Eye's best, it does have some depth and good reflective lyrics as Bright Eyes is known for. I would also recommend checking out live versions of these songs as I feel that these recordings are not the best versions out there. Recommended.… Collapse
  4. altInterstate
    6
    While not a huge Bright Eyes fan to begin with, I continue to give The Peopleâ

See all 7 User Reviews

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