Hello.

So there's a new Bright Eyes album on it's way called "The People's Key".

You can listen to it here: http://www.npr.org/2011/01/30/133278431/first-listen-bright-eyes-the-peoples-key

Or you can download it "illegally" like any sensible person.

Or you can go about your business and pretend this didn't happen.

So far, the jury is out on which of the above you should choose. The release statement from the label is kind of hilariously superlative. Claiming it's definitely, without doubt the best thing Bright Eyes have ever released and they're definitely not just saying that because it's the new one. Mhmm.

At the moment... I'm not convinced. There's a bad case of "kitchen sink" going on with the production. Overall the album feels somewhat schizophrenic with the only constant element being Oberst's heavily multitracked vocals, every song experiencing a completely different treatment to the one before it. Another listen or two could reveal the genius behind this but I can't silence the voice in the back of my head telling me it's not working.