Lifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground
by Bright Eyes
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 77 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 68 out of 77
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 77
  3. Negative: 6 out of 77

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  1. Shane
    Jan 15, 2005
    3
    This man annoys me beyond belief.
  2. BobbyJJ
    Jun 26, 2006
    1
    i cant believe people like this album, i dont
  3. MultipleMiggs
    Aug 28, 2002
    5
    The most overrated album in a long time. Cliched lyrics, overwrought singing, and an overall lack of songs.
  4. MartynasA
    Jan 20, 2005
    10
    Very good album
  5. GlennM
    Aug 2, 2005
    10
    I was going to give this a 9 because I think Fevers is better, but I couldn't because Oberst cannot make a record that i could give anything less than perfect
  6. ChrisB.
    Aug 20, 2002
    9
    This is album may be even better than "Fevers and Mirrors." Usually, when an artist is compared to Dylan it is completely unwarranted (think John Mayer), but it is accurate for Oberst. The range of emotion he conveys in his songs, without resorting to cliches, is rarely seen in pop music these days.
  7. EricC.
    Aug 26, 2002
    9
    This album is yet another fine addition to the warm quilt of music that everyone should wrap around their ears and soul. Conor's ability to put in words the universal themes of love, growing up, truth, self-doubt, and what-the-hell-are- we-for. the question is not whether or not he or any of his listeners (including critics) have actually experienced what he sings about, but if you This album is yet another fine addition to the warm quilt of music that everyone should wrap around their ears and soul. Conor's ability to put in words the universal themes of love, growing up, truth, self-doubt, and what-the-hell-are- we-for. the question is not whether or not he or any of his listeners (including critics) have actually experienced what he sings about, but if you can understand, empathize, or even realize what is/is not pretentious. The musical arrangements are about as complex as you'll find in contemporary indie-folk-pop these days, and more importantly they are conor and co.'s own and complement the outstanding lyrics. Unlike other releases, this one contains several semi-optimistic and uptempo songs, while maintaining the sincerity of the songwriter. the fine productions only adds to the emotional content. This album, while may appeal to a specific young suburban crowd, could be universally accepted if listerner's give it a shot or two. … Expand
  8. ambrose
    Sep 3, 2002
    8
    if it was cut 15 minutes shorter, it would have been magnificent, now it's just great; bright eyes has won me over
  9. garlicfallon
    Feb 15, 2003
    10
    need i say more
  10. ericm
    Mar 6, 2003
    10
    I wish the numbers in this poll went higher. Oberst's musical talent with a guitar, his unbelievably poetic verse, along with his flawless emotional voice makes him one of the greats in indie-rock. His songs convey such deep emotion that he surpasses any of the music icons on MTV.
  11. joeg
    Sep 13, 2003
    10
    Conor is a genious
  12. Tyler
    Dec 6, 2004
    10
    The Ritalin generation's Bob Dylan? Was Huey Lewis the Babyboomers Bob Dylan then? Conor Oberst is any generation's Bob Dylan. Your just jealous.
  13. Andrea
    Mar 19, 2004
    10
    amazing. the lyrics are genious and connor's voice is beautiful-
  14. jontih
    Jul 28, 2004
    9
    excellent
  15. EllingS
    Jun 20, 2005
    10
    simply brilliant
  16. BenD
    Jul 1, 2005
    10
    Conor Oberst has grown a lot since the release of Fevers and Mirrors. His music is no longer so self-centered and screaming fits have been toned down on this album. LIFTED is an absolutely epic album that takes the listener on a journey through Conor's mind. The best album of 2002.
  17. SagacityRecords
    Aug 27, 2002
    10
    A masterpiece. Is Oberst the next Bob Dylan? Anyone who knows, knows there will never be another Bob Dylan. But in 20 -30 years the people who know, who aren't dead yet, will be saying, "There will never be another Connor Oberst ."
  18. JasonK.
    Sep 21, 2002
    10
    this cd is great, go see them live. now. now damnit now
  19. sylvieo
    Oct 16, 2003
    10
    It doesn't matter that this music isn't always what we would call flawless or that every song doesn't fit together to make a perfectly congruent album. It doesn't matter that this writer contradicts himself. It doesn't matter that he "whines." Who is perfect, who doesnt feel conflicted, who doesnt whine? This is about as real as we can ask for. It doesnt deserve It doesn't matter that this music isn't always what we would call flawless or that every song doesn't fit together to make a perfectly congruent album. It doesn't matter that this writer contradicts himself. It doesn't matter that he "whines." Who is perfect, who doesnt feel conflicted, who doesnt whine? This is about as real as we can ask for. It doesnt deserve either criticism or acclaim. Its not edited. No one has the right or the ability to critique another person's feelings. I am only grateful to this singer/songwriter for sharing of himself.… Expand
  20. cath
    Jul 21, 2004
    10
    this album is very good. i really really like it. there are only 2 problems with it. they are that once you listen to bright eyes you find it hard to listen to anything else! and that i get hooked onto a song is i listen to it way to much then get sick of it coz i out-listened it.
  21. HanaK
    Sep 12, 2004
    10
    bright eyes saved my life.
  22. nikolep
    Sep 18, 2004
    10
    i think that connor is an amazing artist n this cd is one of his best written ones..i believe that ne thing he does is inspiring and well made
  23. giulia
    Feb 18, 2005
    10
    i love this record
  24. joeg
    Mar 10, 2005
    10
    Conor is a genious
  25. voodoocookie
    Aug 12, 2005
    10
    This is Conor Oberst's best album ever. I would recommend this album as the first album a newbie to Bright Eyes should listen to. Fever and Mirrors comes close but there is something special about this album!
  26. kennym
    Sep 8, 2005
    10
    this is an amazing, epic album, and in my opinion the best bright eyes album with "i'm wide awake, its morning" right behind. no one who apreciates good lyrics should pass it up.
  27. Andy
    Aug 16, 2006
    8
    The CD that made Conner a celebrity, and rightfully so.
  28. JamesB.
    Aug 26, 2002
    10
    i've always sort of liked bright eyes, but always kind of not liked them also. you know? like i kind of dug what he was doing but it always came off as immature and way too pretentious and dealing with lost love and oh look at me im going to go cry in my hot tea while writing lame journal entries. but this record kicks it. it i intensely pretentious, but so was dylan. just listen to i've always sort of liked bright eyes, but always kind of not liked them also. you know? like i kind of dug what he was doing but it always came off as immature and way too pretentious and dealing with lost love and oh look at me im going to go cry in my hot tea while writing lame journal entries. but this record kicks it. it i intensely pretentious, but so was dylan. just listen to this record. it is a masterpiece. … Expand
  29. heather
    Apr 13, 2004
    10
    this cd is amazing, like everything connor writes.
  30. Tia
    Jul 26, 2005
    10
    Conor Oberst is a genius, pure and simple.
  31. RFord
    Sep 21, 2005
    10
    Conor Oberst is the man i havent heard a bad song yet by him
  32. MorganM
    Sep 22, 2005
    10
    frickin' awesome...
  33. danM
    Mar 27, 2007
    9
    Amazing album..every song is absolutly perfect in it's own way...Although Fevers & Mirrors is far better, I do love this album...best songs are "Big Picture", "False Advertising", "Wast Of Paint", and "Bowl Of Oranges"
  34. Vampire25
    Mar 2, 2011
    8
    I could relate to this album. It's such a great album. The lyrics are poetry and Conor Oberst's voice mends so well together singing it. It's a powerful, emotional punch of a record. All In All, a beautiful record that I recommend. B+
  35. davenbettridge
    Nov 6, 2011
    10
    So many awesome memorable songs are contained within, I have listened to these songs countless times over the years and their meaning has only deepened over time. False Advertising, You Will? You Will ?, Lover I Don't Have to Love, Nothing Gets Crossed Out and From a Balance Beam are great songs because they are deep, original and moving to people who spend time in reflection.
  36. GarboTaste
    Jul 13, 2018
    9
    If you haven't already just listen to it. I don't feel like there's a bad song on this album. That and the fact that it ties together from song to song so beautifully should give enough reason to give it at least a listen or two.
  37. All_ButTrU4
    May 20, 2022
    4
    A bloated excessive indie record that is crushed not only by it's ambitions but it's bands limited range. They can't do much so instead they recycle themselves over and over expecting you to endure them for no benefit.

Awards & Rankings

77
#77 Best Album of 2002
26
#26 Most Discussed Album of 2002
47
#47 Most Shared Album of 2002

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    Untrustworthy, confused, touching and idiotically ambitious; hard work that, undoubtedly, repays the effort.
    Read full review
  2. Neumu.net
    60
    It is, in such, truly great, or truly arrogant, or truly conceited, or truly preposterous, or truly confused, or truly bemused, or truly profound, or truly magnificent. Or maybe all of these things. At once. Or at times.
    Read full review
  3. Pitchfork
    77
    Love it or hate it, the precious, nasal vibrato Oberst affects is the tie that binds all these varied tunes together in the end, and in most cases, it compliments the music admirably.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »