As corny as it sounds, Bright Eyes frontman Conor Oberst has indeed grown up in the public's eye. So it's hard not to look at his career from that perspective, especially since the band's latest album, "The People's Key," was recorded and released when he was 30. Like many 30-year-olds, Oberst hits his stride and remains distinctly himself on the set, but with a seasoning that only experience can bring. He has hardly been idle since Bright Eyes' 2007 release, "Cassadaga": He's released two solo albums and an EP, as well as an LP with the supergroup Monsters of Folk. Traces of those projects are heard here, along with the electronics of Bright Eyes' 2005 set, "Digital Ash in a Digital Urn," and the group's jauntier early songs. And while there aren't really any big stylistic surprises on "The People's Key" (except for lyrical Rastafarian references and some wacky spoken chatter), Oberst has grown into himself as a songwriter, knowing when to let a note or word hang rather than trying to blurt it all out in an hormonal yelp like he did 10 years ago. Yet for all their diversity and maturity, these songs couldn't have been written by anyone else, and this welcome return shows that the three years since the last Bright Eyes album have been well spent.
-
Hot 100
Gotye tops again
-
Billboard 200
Adam Lambert rules
-
Dance/Club Songs
Karmin's 'Brokenhearted' rises
-
Digital Songs
Carly Rae Jepsen scores
-
Soundtracks
The 'Glee' cast rocks it
-
Social 50
Rihanna is social queen
-
Dance/Electronic Albums
Skrillex nabs No. 1
-
Country Albums
Carrie Underwood blows us away
-
Rock Albums
Tenacious D 'Rizes' to the top
-
Rap Albums
Nicki Minaj takes the top spot
Bright Eyes, "The People's Key"
More Features
All features
All of Billboard.com's Great Lists
Billboard chart app
Billboard archives
© Billboard. All rights reserved.
Portions of content provided by Rovi Corporation. © Rovi Corporation.
Thanks For Joining Billboard
Log in to create your profile, speak your mind and connect with listeners like you.
Haven't Joined Yet ?
For the full Billboard experience, you need to be a member. Sign up. It's free.
Forgot your password?
Enter the e-mail address you used to sign up and we will email you the password .
Email Sent !
Your password has been sent to the email address you provided. Please sign in below :
Log In
Action Successful
We'd love to hear your feedback on the new Billboard.com!
Whether it's a feature request or a bug
We want to hear from you. Please use this form to anonymously give us your input.
Up for Discussion