bright eyes?

Haha, no, I actually really love his music a lot. And those are some good song writers--but Toby Keith?

Jeff Magnum's a great writer, but I've never been able to stand his voice or his music--kind of interesting that we like one but not the other.

 

Me: Well, seems Politics are Awesome said everything I would have.
Douchebag: tHAN WHY ARE YOU POSTING?!?1
Me: ::shrug::

 

I don't see how anyone who has listened to songs like Bowl of Oranges, Poison Oak, Landlocked Blues, From a Balance Beam, The Big Picture, and Gold Mine Gutted can say that Conor Oberst has no talent. I can see why he might not appeal to some people, especially because of his voice (which I love). But the lyrics in those songs are amazing...not to mention the music.

 

i love them however i couldn't chose a favorite song. there are too many.

 

Conor Oberst is a pretty good songwriter. His songs may be sloppy as hell but they are sweet and personal. I'd have to say my favorites are Haligh..., Take it Easy(love nothing), and Contrast and Compare. Most of his stuff is pretty good but you have to pick and choose.

 

I know this thread is old, but I stumbled upon it, and it pissed me off! Conor Oberst is the Bob Dylan for our generation. His lyrics are absolutely amazing...he has something to say, and he says it. It either appeals to you or it doesn't, but anyone that says he's, "a no talent piece of shit"-I think it was, well they obviously have no idea what they're talking about. There's is no way that the words that come out of his mouth are not some of the best poetry ever written-that is talent. And if you assholes can do better, then post it here-let everybody into your heads, and let's see what you've got! (oh and learn to play, like, four instruments too!) Favorite songs; Make War, Let's Not Shit Ourselves, You Will. You?, Nothing Gets Crossed Out, False Advertising, Classic Cars, At The Bottom Of Everything, Train Under Water, Lua, Old Soul Song.....you know what-I love them all!

 

"Well, I could have been a famous singer, if I had someone else's voice, but failures always sounded better...Let's fuck it up boys-make some noise!" Bright Eyes-Road To Joy

 

.

 

his lyrics and poetry are about as amazing as Jim Morrison's....
not much at all

 

Whatever, man! I'd love to know who your basis for comparison is. Who do you think is a better songwriter, other than Dylan?(although you most-likely don't like him either..) Have you ever even listened to Bright Eyes? Probably not, I just don't see how you could feel this way. I'm going to assume that you're just pulling shit out of your ass, hoping for reactions.

 

Don't worry, he wont agree with anyone on anything.

Which is why nobody pays him much attention. Yup, hes a real rebel.

 

that would be way way way way way too long of a list

yes

it's pretty easy not to like pseudo-poetry "hey, look at me, I can make art" just not appealing to me, sorry

I'm sure you know what they say about assumptions...

and what the fuck are you talking about?
I don't even know who the fuck you are

I am about as much of a 'rebel' (going by how you used it) as Dick Cheney...
I agree with all the people in the thread that don't like Oberst, so obviously I agree with some people on some things...

 

I didn't ask for ALL your examples of who you think is a better song writer-I just want one, just one! And if you can't give me that, let me see something you've written that's better, you seem to be an expert, so I'll bet it's really great!

 

why do people always do that?
the critic doesn't need any skill of his own, just an opinion

I have quite a bit more than one, let's start with:
Hendrix was a far better song writer than Morrison or Oberst
Nas definently is if rap counts
Del Tha Funky Homosaipien too (rapper from the Gorillaz' first CD)
whoever writes the songs in Cake
Axl Rose
Adam Duritz (one of my favorites)
guy from Live
Danzig
Don McLean
Billy Corgan
Lou Reed
and I quite like Jack Johnson as well


and I don't write music too much (my song lyrics are quite infantile), but I'll take your critical eye on a piece of poetry =P

-letters of nepenthe-
The pain returns as I hear your name
Flares up once again, that eternal flame
In comes the picture of that beautiful face
I am dragged back to that horrible place
To the dungeon where I am ripped apart
Where vines of steel choke my withered heart

You were so goddamn near
Dreams to reality; right fucking there
But not a step; I succumbed to my fear
Now I cry in anguish, wishing you'd appear
Why would you though?
For you did not-do not know
Would you if even, I still wonder
Would you forgive my great blunder?

No, I am sure, if I just took the chance, if I just gave one kiss
I could have avoided all of this
But I stood frozen, and as a statue I fell
Crashing, shattering at the floor of hell
Broken, there I shall forever dwell
And to whom my soul I did sell:
My tormentor and demon; my regret
Making sure I do never forget
The only relief there could ever be
Is for you to come down and uplift me

This poem, this plea; a letter to never be sent
For, my sin is so great that I can never repent


not necessarily my 'best' work, but one of my favorites =)
I'd have showed you somehtign a bit more complex or 'adult' but it's all on my other computer

my question is, what does any of this matter?
I mean, as far as the list of artists you might go 'well, those are some pretty good writers, mayeb I shouldn't be so bold'
but most likely, you won't agree with it, and you will stay with the belief that everyone should feel just as you do about songwriters

 

I happen to love Hendrix, and Jack Johnson, Lou Reed and Billy Corgan. As much as I like Jack Johnson, however, I don't think his song writing ability is quite comparable with Bright Eyes. I realize this is my opinion, I can understand you not liking his music, but to say that his words are not good poetry, it just doesn't make sense to me. Anyways, I know we're not going to agree on this.....your lyrics are nice-you're no Connor, ofcourse-I like the ending, especially. If I may be so bold as to offer some constructive criticism....."This poem, this plea; a letter never to be sent," could maybe sound better if..."This poem, this plea; it will never be sent.." Just a thought.
Peace Out!

 

thanks, but it just doesn't make as much sense without the letter part =P

I personally, don't think the guy has much writing ability at all
I always see him as trying way too hard, and not really having much to say/much feeling in his work
he uses a similar style to Marilyn Manson, but his metaphors and similies are always way way too basic

and I think Jack Johnson is quite a great poet, and his songs always flow so perfectly along with the music, somethign many musicians can't seem to accomplish

 

I think Jack Johnson's music is beautiful, I love the melodies as well as the lyrics...Ughhh.....you're kind of driving me crazy! I feel Connor Oberst's lyrics are completely the opposite of everything you just wrote. I feel tons of emotion when I listen to him, and his metaphors and similies-so incredibly NOT basic! This could go on forever-we must end it!

 

I'm just saying, I've seen you post enough now, and everytime its usually a negative response.

Jack Johnson is definitely not a better song-writer IMO.

Does his music flow better than Bright Eyes at times? Yeah, of course. After a while, his style sounds to sound all the same to me, the same Hawiian/surf vibe is perhaps too evident in every song. Bright Eyes has tackled many types of songs with great sucess, ballads, rockers, folk/string arrangements, synth/new wave, etc.

Jack Johnsons lyrics follow a very traditional style, where as Bright Eyes are more adventurous, as Oberst has especially came into his own and his last two, Cassadaga and I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning. I can see how Bright Eyes may not appeal to some, but you can't really say they have no talent. Sit down, really read into the lyrics, and you may not relate to them, but try to look at them for what they are. At the end I think its just overall great music, the arrangements and strings by Mogis and Walcott, and the addition of female back-ups like EmmyLou Harris, M.Ward, and Jenny Lewis certainly do not dissapoint.

As for your poem; I think its alright. Very cliche however, very tradtional format also. Like I said, the poem itself isnt all that bad, just nothing about it stands out to me, as it is like so many I have read before. I dont want you to think I'm simply saying this because you dont like Bright Eyes; I could care less what you like dislike, as everyone has their own tastes. I would'nt mind reading some of your other work, however.