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Bright Eyes

Date: Jan 27 2003

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

Bright Eyes is the name of Conor Oberst’s band. Conor is an absolutely amazing 22 year-old singer-songwriter from Omaha, Nebraska. He sings with so much heartfelt emotion that it almost feels like you’re reading his diary when you’re listening to him. It’s truly a unique experience.
Conor’s music is so respected that people are comparing him to Bob Dylan. Read on to learn more about him.

Dialog

1. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Conor Oberst has been recording music since he was just 13 years old. With each album he’s gotten better. His latest album, Lifted, is a masterpiece. It features 13 ambitious songs – each with a slightly different sound. In the past, Conor’s music has been made up of his guitar and his voice, but this album features songs recorded with a full orchestra. It’s a welcome addition.
Conor expects a lot from his listeners. People who listen to his music have to be willing to deal with overwhelming emotion and pain. Nearly every song is about the pain of lost love or the difficulty of being alive. “False Advertising” is a good example. Check out some of the lyrics:
But if I could act like this was my real life
And not some cage where I was placed
Well then I could tell you
The truth like I used to
And not be afraid of sounding fake
Not while all you were listening for was the mistakes
Conor is obviously depressed, but he’s able to express his pain in a very coherent and beautiful way.

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Discussion

I’ve only been a Bright Eyes fan for about 6 months. The first time I heard Conor’s songs, I wasn’t sure I liked them. However, after 2 or 3 listenings I was hooked. His music is so smart, so full, so interesting, so impressive, so emotional, so vibrant… that it’s impossible to deny its effect. There’s no way to listen to a Bright Eyes song and not feel something.
If you haven’t heard Conor’s music, I strongly recommend that you check out one of his CDs. You won’t be disappointed. You might be sad, but you won’t be disappointed.
Rock on,
Migs