The Saturday Sound — Week 9
Bright Eyes — I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning
By Gavin Dransfield
Sitting in a warm, spacious room, Conor Oberst takes a sip of his coffee and begins to tell a story. A woman on a plane, seated beside a quiet man; a tedious magazine article and an enormous ocean thousands of feet below. Oberst takes another sip of coffee and then places the mug on a nearby table. An engine failure, a distraught pilot; the plane begins to fall; the woman asks the man a question, and he gives her an answer as a muted guitar begins to chug along. Then everything culminates into a fun, fast, and joyful melody. This is “At The Bottom Of Everything,” and it’s the first of ten of the most sharply, sincerely written indie songs you’ll likely ever hear. Together, these ten songs make Bright Eyes’ unforgettable I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning.
Even if you’re not familiar with this album, you’ve probably still heard it at some point. It’s the home of such legendary tracks as “First Day Of My Life” and “Lua.” The former is among the greatest love songs of the 21st century, and the latter is a remarkably sad, yet tender ballad. Both will make you swoon in their own right, and at the same time break your heart.
Which brings me to the overall mood of this album. Despite the many cheerful-sounding grooves and mellow folk instrumentals, the subject matter of this album is nothing short of melancholy. It was created by Oberst during the first years of his living in New York City, where — as the lyrics suggest — he wandered about aimlessly, drinking in bars, hovering between parties, and witnessing political upheaval that would inevitably lead to war. He seems to have been pretty bummed out during this time, as we read in the lyrics to “Land Locked Blues”:
“And the world’s got me dizzy again / You’d think after twenty-two years I’d be used to the spin.”
And in “We Are Nowhere And It’s Now”:
“I’ve got no plans and too much time / I feel too restless to unwind / I’m always lost in thought as I walk a block / To my favorite neon sign.”
These are certainly not the happiest songs around. In fact, I wouldn’t even recommend listening to this album at all when you’re completely content. These songs will destroy you if you’re not careful, which of course, is not so much of a bad thing. But if you’re going through some hard times right now, this album has my full, complete recommendation as something to ease the burdens of your sadness or your angst. After all, it was written by someone who likely knows how you feel.
Instrumentally, this album is warm and pleasant. It’s deeply founded upon the sounds of old-fashioned folk and Americana, while also employing elements of indie rock. For a good deal of the runtime, it’s just Oberst singing softly and playing his guitar. Other songs feature full-band efforts, with instruments such as an upright bass, a trumpet, and a bluegrassy set of drums. If there’s anything that needs warming up to, it’s Oberst’s distinctive voice, which shudders and creaks like a weary cabin door when he’s not screaming his lungs out. It’s an incredibly raw and sincere voice no matter its volume, and it’s by far the highlight of the entire album along with the gorgeous and bittersweet lyrics it sings.
I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning is an album for the slow, dreary days and the lonely nights. It’s a gorgeous, acoustic tapestry that knows and understands its listener to a stunning degree, and that will stick in your head and your heart long after it ends. There’s nothing like some good crying songs.
Stream the album:
