By TJ Ford
Arts Editor
Staying true to its title, “Upside Down Mountain” is a low-point in comparison to the rest of Conor Oberst’s musical career.
The album is a sad divergence from Oberst’s usual poetic singer-songwriter melodies. It sounds more like a cheaply- made background score than substantial, stand-alone music, due to its incredibly cliché lyrics, twangy instrumentals and confused style.
Oberst is known for being a lyricist and vocalist for the alternative genre. He is a man of many different bands, as he’s moonlighted in groups like Desaparecidos and Norman Bailer, yet he is best known for his work in Bright Eyes.
Bright Eyes is a group known for its beautiful, depressing work in the alternative genre. As the lead singer, Oberst would be expected to continue the line of melancholy melodies in his own individual works; however, his solo album completely strays from the norm, and in the process, thoroughly disappoints. It is disappointing how simple and old the new songs sound. Instruments, like trombones and other brasses, accompany a crooning guitar and largely falsetto choir, reminiscent of a bad ‘70s movie score. The stylistic lack of focus makes for a confusing jumble of tracks, half-bluegrass and half-alternative.
The lyrics are especially a let-down, compared to Oberst’s past works. Usually, his songs are heavily romantic and incredibly poetic; yet, in his new album, the only topic consistently brought up word-wise is sunlight — and not in a metaphorical or acceptable way, either. Nature imagery floods every song yet is not described well. For instance, in “Lonely at the Top,” lyrics get so awkward in their attempts at depth that one line is, “the heart can’t comprehend the pain.” From ambiguity to overall superficiality, there is nothing remarkable about the lyrics of the album, eliminating yet another element of Oberst’s signature – usually applauded – style.
The instrumentals are idiosyncratic, too, in that they do not belong in an alternative singer-songwriter album. Brushing percussion, trombones and a choir of what sounds like 30 old women all clash in the making of the individual melodies. These random additions appear especially in “Time Forgot.” The twangy guitar makes the song sound like a depressing country blue-grass tune, and the tambourine accents only cement its poorly done version of Van Morrison.
Overall, the album is a sad excuse for a singer-songwriter album for Oberst and does not bode well for his solo career.
“Upside Down Mountain” will be released for sale on Tuesday and is currently streaming on NPR.com for free.
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