Bright Eyes - Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was ALBUM REVIEW

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Down in the Weeds is a mix of new and old Bright Eyes, as well as hit and miss.
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FAV TRACKS: DANCE AND SING, STAIRWELL SONG, PERSONA NON GRATA, TILT-A-WHIRL, FORCED CONVALESCENCE, COMET SONG
LEAST FAV TRACK: HOT CAR IN THE SUN
BRIGHT EYES - DOWN IN THE WEEDS, WHERE THE WORLD ONCE WAS / 2020 / DEAD OCEANS / INDIE FOLK, ALT-COUNTRY
6/10
Y'all know this is just my opinion, right?

[@imfiji1202]

Anthony I don’t care about ur opinion anymore ever since I found out ur actually sitting down in these videos

[@HumbertoBaconDude]

Bald Fraud

[@sweatyguysteve8087]

oh shit are you serious

[@itsyaboi1245]

Pics or it didnt happen

[@aaronbarton2179]

In his Lil Dicky-‘I’m brain’ album review he falls off his stool laughing. It was shocking for me too

[@sweatyguysteve8087]

@@aaronbarton2179 wtf I watched it and youre right. not only is he on a chair but hes sitting in front of a green screen??

[@totlyepic]

This man really complained that the opening skit track of a Bright Eyes album was like a fever dream.

[@4655434b]

I dunno man, I just find it an annoyance.

[@madtiboysen5397]

It's suppose to be an annoyance. Connor has stated that the openers are there to weed people out. And right!? Fantano literally described the intention of the track.

[@nootnootmyboot10]

@@madtiboysen5397 doesn't mean he can care for itt

[@halcyonrain2209]

No awareness of fevers and mirrors

[@HeyIntegrity]

Fantano's taste went to trash

[@joeboonmusic4004]

Calling Conor Oberst a 'respectable' songwriter is like calling truffle oil vegetable oil.

[@lotusmiragemusic]

So true...Conor is one of the BEST

[@grimacebkfc]

isnt truffle oil notoriously terrible tho?

[@rhiannonrecommends]

Anthony: its only for so long that you can play the tragically troubled youth card Conor: hold my forced convalescence

[@clintmcintosh2154]

One guys opinion, Conor is up there with the best songwriters in history. I think he is brilliant and so terribly underrated.

[@doctordungus7774]

I always describe him as a modern Bob Dylan, but far more lyrically talented.

[@nicholasmaxwell9899]

@@doctordungus7774 Far more lyrically talented than Bob Dylan? Really?

[@AJD...]

@@nicholasmaxwell9899 have you actually even read Conor's lyrics?

[@nicholasmaxwell9899]

@@AJD... Yes I've heard all of his albums. There isn't a soul on the planet who could expect to be taken seriously while saying Conor Oberst is a better lyricist than Bob Dylan. I guarantee you even Conor Oberst would laugh at you for thinking that.

[@jacobmorales323]

@@nicholasmaxwell9899 it’s not they crazy man. You’re being very exaggerated

[@suleymantekingurmen7643]

Sorry but me and the fandom of our lord Conor Oberst have already formed our respective opinions!

[@someguystudios9174]

This is the MBDTF review for indie folk fans

[@t.c.bramblett617]

Man, I liked the People's Key

[@lf4692]

yep ppl are addicted to underrating it and need to go to rehab

[@hanglikeheaven]

as you should. it's great

[@roggleroggle]

It's a solid fucking album and so is Cassadaga

[@caketits2723]

Same here, my guy.

[@thetrashiestpanda]

My favourite BE album.

[@ashleycoiro9565]

No, no, you got The People’s Key all wrong.

[@p0ison_0ak33]

Me and my husband dropped acid and listened to THE PEOPLES KEY and DOWN IN THE WEEDS WHERE THE WORLD ONCE WAS in succession....AMAZING!!!!!!!!!

[@jamesduncan9688]

Hey Melon, could you please log off of Poptropica right now? I'm trying to do my zoom class and I need to use the wifi.

[@Alex-kn5tr]

holy fuck i didnt even know anyone else knew that game existed

[@стрелок-ч7р]

@@Alex-kn5tr bro many people know about it lol it's in the same age tier as club penguin or webkinz

[@Alex-kn5tr]

@@стрелок-ч7р ok

[@homicidal_duck]

I've already put about 300 listens into this project and consider it my album of the year so far. I'm not saying Anthony is wrong as it is obviously all subjective but this is edging for me onto a good 10/10. I love this album, and would really recommend giving it a chance.

[@homicidal_duck]

Also he didn't even mention To Death's Heart which is my favourite on the record

[@360.Tapestry]

@@homicidal_duck is this comment intentionally obtuse to induce correction? let the chains begin

[@homicidal_duck]

@@360.Tapestry you what? I'm saying I really like the album I'm hardly Mike Tyson fighting my corner

[@belac2]

Agreed

[@billymessenger3982]

I couldn't get into it when I first tried the day it came out but I'm def gonna give it more tries. How y'all feel about Cassadega? I feel like Anthony was a little harsh when he said it wasn't very palatable and disliked it for being more commercial, but it still has some great lyrics on it. I personally really like it, but know a lot of people strongly dislike it

[@DixyRae]

It really is like running into an old college friend, having an ok catch up conversation, but awkwardly realizing you're both different people now.

[@colinpaton3304]

Omg this is The Take.

[@haise12]

but you still feel this strange and comforting warmth even when you know that you're as different and far from each other now

[@mchugggin5266]

Wow. So on point man. I’m sure when I ever feel darkness and low again I will be covered in warmth by this record.

[@Grasses0n]

Well said

[@TheSpelledMilk]

Wow. You are on Cap. Well said!

[@roggleroggle]

I mean.... Conor sung it himself: "no I am not singing for you".

[@seanarey9918]

Lets not poop in pant

[@clintwheeler2184]

Oh and you think he’s singing for you? 😂

[@roggleroggle]

@@clintwheeler2184 nah. Not me either

[@agustingonzalez7031]

@@roggleroggle actually i think he was singing for you and me, but mos def not for critics. In other words he is singing for the one's that appreciate his work, not for one's who just talk trash and have nothing to show other than talking trash, chola! I am hennifer lopes i eat takis, doritos, tacos n burritos, i don't care for your review i just wanna listen to the music

[@joshuaboelsche7684]

I'm not ashamed to say it, I absolutely love Cassadaga and People's Key. I loved them when they came out and love them still. Down in the Weeds is growing on me, it has some hits, for sure. I think what I like best about these albums is the weird sampling and just getting lost in these bizarre rants; i suspect most fans are more drawn the gut-wrenchingness, which isn't really what keeps bringing me back to Bright Eyes.

[@ChrisDodgen]

Cassadaga is one of my favorites.

[@loadedpainted7040]

Cassadaga is up there with Im Wide Awake for me. I think those are their 2 best.

[@justinnemelka6740]

AGREED

[@CoatCheckDream.]

I loveee Cassadaga. Tickles my acid bone

[@vichuey3219]

shook by the shitting on cassadaga... it's my fave bright eyes album!

[@BretBaber]

It's not my favorite album by Conor (second), but I'll be damned I'm no idiot, it's his best record he's put out. So much better than I'm Wide Awake.

[@hussguy1990]

Calais to Dover is fire, those solos.

[@tirednoise]

Yeah fr one of my favorites off of this album

[@lukeberrie3942]

I was surprised when he said he didn’t care for it tbh

[@joelalexander928]

Definitely the track that hooked me most on first listen.

[@NeedleInTheHay1990]

Who expected a Bright Eyes butt rock power ballad? I certainly didn't, but I'm 100% here for it.

[@EstimateProphet]

Sean A Definitely new wave/post punk, not power ballad.

[@mattlandonmusic]

Other people having been saying the same thing, but I’ll say it again... you need to spend time with this record. It grows on you. Quickly edging towards a 10/10 for me-on par with Lifted and Fevers And Mirrors, which were my previous favorites-but Melon’s 6/10 was actually about what I was feeling on my first listens. However, again: this album requires multiple listens. It grows on ya!

[@melliyaeger2990]

Yup

[@balakae_hairless]

I would agree. I was honestly disappointed after my first few listens. But now that I have had more time, I would consider it one of my favorite Bright Eyes albums.

[@psychobilly42069]

For sure i agreed with this review when it came out but after a year with the album I love it so much

[@rileytanner4476]

Calais to Dover was definitely my favorite song on the album . . .

[@TCFishin]

One of the best SONGS I've ever heard

[@NightManAkimbo]

elliott smith’s FABOTH was his attempt to make his darkest, grittiest and even sonically unpleasant at times record so far. he wasn’t going all country melon

[@pedterson]

Honestly, Elliott literally killed himself while making this album. It's one of the darkest records I've ever listened to. To quote this one as an example of someone "brightening up" is just bonkers. And "country"?!

[@bigchickentime7391]

@@pedterson easily the saddest record I’ve ever listened too, especially knowing the context in which it was made and what led up to it. I don’t entirely see where melon was coming from but there’s a few scattered ideas that are kindaa mayybe country influenced like: the riff on pretty, a tiny bit of the memory lane progression and mayyyyybe the opening of distorted reality. Even then that’s like stretching a small elastic band around the whole planet, basement is a dark gritty rock album not much country influence if any

[@TeShiky]

King's Crossing is so dark, it's actually insanely impressive how everything works so well to create such a depressive mood.

[@cragle1114]

mother as yelled at me it appears that once again i must listen to Omaha indie folk band BRIGHT EYES

[@peazeralus]

That was meme of the year

[@BradShadowCrystal]

I honestly loved this album. Although it didn't feel as powerful as their other stuff I still really enjoyed it.

[@mchugggin5266]

FestivePai just shows that we are better emotionally I think now.

[@mchugggin5266]

Conor hits hardest when we are not doing good mentally

[@BradShadowCrystal]

@@mchugggin5266 That is definitely true. I also think it's the same with Conor, he's doing better mentally which is reflected in this album

[@doctordungus7774]

I was expecting to find it not very powerful, but I was pleasantly surprised. I'd say it's one of their best. Not as good as Fevers or LIFTED or Digital Ash in a Digital Urn, but I think it easily contends with Cassadaga and I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning.

[@golden-sun]

This sounded like an IGN review. Amazing storyline, great gameplay, tons of customization, excellent multiplayer system. 6/10

[@LEMEOIN27]

Still has a long way to come to make up for that brash stunt he pulled on you earlier walt

[@pomonkeypo]

too much water

[@nevadanate4957]

He dissed like half the songs though

[@thepopgroup3366]

Hi walter

[@HeyIntegrity]

Fantano is the IGN of music.

[@drhall343]

Reciting the entire Craig Ferguson interview with Conor from memory was a little weird, but impressive.

[@Vggfcfw]

Really!? I think it’s incredible. Down in the weeds exceeded all my expectations, Well worth the ten year wait. On repeat since.

[@nighttimesociety]

Man, I most be in the minority but Digital Ash in a Digitial Urn > all other Bright Eyes albums. No one ever talks about that one.

[@CodyAlushin]

The opening track is a conversation between his mom and ex wife...while they're on mushrooms. What's not to love about that, MELON??

[@zackzallie8735]

Melon rated Bright Eyes 6/10 cuz he wears glasses.

[@thetrashiestpanda]

Bright Eyes is one of my favourite artists but on my first listen I was quite disappointed by this record... still I kept coming back to it for some reason. Now I absolutely love it. Fav track: Calais to Dover

[@TheSpelledMilk]

Good to know. Tyou

[@BretBaber]

I was the same. I think because it had been so long since the last record that I built it up to be this big musical adventure that it could never live up to. Now I've listened to it 40 times and I love it.

[@mtzfox]

People hate way too hard on A Peoples Key, that was my favorite Bright Eyes album. Though so far I'm really liking this new one and think it has a lot to dig into. Loved their older stuff when it came out, but it doesn't connect with me as much at this age in life.

[@zachalessi8438]

I agree great album

[@sinnsage]

agree, it’s fantastic and i loved it more than cassadaga

[@HeyIntegrity]

I haven't seen anybody hate it.

[@doctordungus7774]

People's Key is definitely my least favorite, but it's not bad. Ladder Song might be in my top 10 Bright Eyes songs, and at least half of the rest of the songs are good.

[@wh-te_m-le]

2020 scores: 0/10: 1 - [ Green Day - Father of All ] 1/10: 1 - [ Sam Hunt - Southside ] 2/10: 0 3/10: 6 4/10: 13 5/10: 27 6/10: 16 7/10: 33 8/10: 32 9/10: 5 - Laura Marling - Song for Our Daughter - Black Dresses - Peaceful as Hell - Jessie Ware - What's Your Pleasure? - Blu & Exile - Miles ' Tkay Maidza - Last Year Was Weird Vol. 2 EP 10/10: 0 [NOT GOOD/10]: 6 - [ Justin Bieber - Changes ] - [ Lil Baby - My Turn] - [ Joyner Lucas - ADHD ] - [ Danzig Sings Elvis ] - [ Nav's Good Intentions & Brown Boy 2 ] - [ G-Eazy's Everything's Strange Here ] - [ Glass Animals - Dreamland ] IT'S GOOD/10 (from fantano channel): 5 - [ Disclosure - Ecstasy ] - [ Haru Nemuri - Lovetheism ] - [ Dirty Projectors - Windows Open Ep ] - [ Dirty Projectors - Flight Tower ] - [ Jockstrap - Wicked City ] EP review: 2 - [ Little Simz - Drop 6 ] - [ RMR - Drug Dealing Is a Lost Art ] Classics: 5 - [ Janet Jackson - The Velvet Rope ] - [ Talk Talk - Laughing Stock ] - [ Converge - Jane Doe ] - [ My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade ] - [ Clipse - Hell Hath No Fury ] Custom scores: 2 - [ Gunna - Wunna ] -Ω/10 - [ Trapt - Shadow Work ] -😤/10 Second take: 1 - [ Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy ] - 6/10 "Controversial": 19 - [ Eminem - Music To Be Murdered By ] =============> 5/10 - [ Tame Impala - The Slow Rush ] ==================> 6/10 - [ Grimes - Miss Anthropocene ] ===================> 4/10 - [ Lil Uzi Vert - Eternal Atake ] =====================> 4/10 - [ Machine Girl - U-Void Synthesizer] ===============> 5/10 - [ Childish Gambino - 3.15.20 ]====================> 4/10 - [ Waxahatchee - Saint Cloud ] ====================> 4/10 - [ Fiona Apple - Fetch the Bolt Cutters ] =============> 7/10 - [ Westside Gunn - Pray for Paris ] =================> 6/10 - [ Dance Gavin Dances Afterburner] ================> 4/10 - [ Future - High Off Life ] =========================> 3/10 - [ Yung Lean - Starz ] ============================> 5/10 - [ Khruangbin - Mordechai ] =======================> 3/10 - [ Hum - Inlet ] =================================> 5/10 - [ MIKE - Weight of the World ] ====================> 4/10 - [ Paysage d'Hiver - Im Wald ] =====================> 3/10 - [ Protomartyr - Ultimate Success Today ] ===========> 6/10 - [ Glass Animals' Dreamland ] ====================> NOT GOOD - [ Fontaines D.C. - A Hero's Death ] ================> 4/10 Cal cameos: 25 - Green Day - Father of All - Drake - Dark Lane Demo Tapes - Car Seat Headrest - Making a Door Less Open - Umbra Vitae - Shadow of Life - Nav's Good Intentions & Brown Boy 2 - Ka - Descendants of Cain - Future - High Off Life - Charli XCX - how i'm feeling now - Gunna - Wunna - The 1975 - Notes on a Conditional Form - Carly Rae Jepsen - Dedicated Side B - KSI - Dissimulation - Jeff Rosenstock - NO DREAM - Lady Gaga - Chromatica - Deerhoof - Future Teenage Cave Artists - Run the Jewels - RTJ4 - Oranssi Pazuzu - Mestarin kynsi - Lil Yachty - Lil Boat 3 - Chloe x Halle - Ungodly Hour - Baauer - Planet's Mad - HAIM - Women in Music Pt. III - Jessie Ware - What's Your Pleasure? - G-Eazy's Everything's Strange Here - Bob Dylan - Rough and Rowdy Ways - Logic - No Pressure - The Killers - Imploding the Mirage This is the 158th review of 2020

[@glockdookie5231]

Legend

[@emilhansen7122]

You miss the ep review of Quarantine Casanova

[@wh-te_m-le]

@@emilhansen7122 It's a weird situation . I used the EP reviews to be the reviews on his channel, so I've put this EP in the 7/10 category, because it had an actual score

[@adrionyoutube]

I think you missed Punisher

[@kylejtann22]

There’s some quotes, right away, that lets you know that Anthony Fantano not gonna fully connect with Bright Eyes, which is probably pretty typical of those who aren’t fully into it. He says “your career can’t exist in this perpetual emotional breakdown state forever” it indeed can, and those who have been listening to Bright Eyes for 20 years know that 😂

[@TP_Gillz]

This record is a solid 9. For fans of anything Oberst related.

[@jeremyk7284]

Agreed

[@marcoesquandolez4737]

Agreed. Conor always delivers a good record imo. Casadaga is one of my favs too.

[@emptyeyesocket6298]

"Respectable songwriter" Try one of the best lyricists of all time

[@wulfbuoygarwalfey3582]

honestly i’m more angry about your comments re: the people’s key than anything you’re saying about the new record

[@joelalexander928]

i mean sometimes a record's gonna fly over heads

[@carlosleon6374]

LEAST FAV: HOT CAR IN THE SUN? Sorry I don't speak wrong

[@ShaneCalderon]

Gonna be a big yikes for me on this review.

[@skiparnet]

The People's Key is his masterpiece - if you're uncomfortable with it its because its aesthetic is so original. He follows that psychic heavy lifting on One and Done and To Deaths Heart

[@Sapotequeen]

100000%

[@mitchellanderson3068]

Ladder Song is fucking beautiful

[@joshhunter6928]

Day 9 of asking fantano to review the cats soundtrack

[@therealfreddiegibbs2605]

It's about time

[@stephennnnnnnnnnnn]

High meow to a low purr.

[@jsuttonphoto7461]

I feel like Anthony went into this Album to write a review instead of getting into the weeds and understanding it. The Album is literally called "Down in the Weeds." I would be interested to see if Anthony can give this a few more listens and do a review. In my opinion, this review was more about it on face value while comparing it to other music that is deemed "good" while throwing in key terms to convince the viewer that the review was a deeper dive than what they could have perceived on their own. Bright Eyes has not dumbed down their music and, in fact, has held their audience's hand while we mature with life and music. Their music reflects that as their albums progress.

[@cozyflannel]

I kept agonizing over why Bright Eyes albums have quit hitting me as hard as Fevers, Lifted, all the way up to Cassadaga. And then I remembered oh yeah I was 15-20ish then. Now I’m 34 and while Oberst has absolutely evolved musically, grown up lyrically, nothing will compare to how stuff made ya feel when you were young and impressionable. Those albums are special because of where I was, who i was, when I heard them. And that’s ok. It’s an impossible task for new stuff to live up to that. Hard to put into words but hope that makes sense.

[@TP_Gillz]

That's how, sadly, alot of my friends feel about Oberst now, while I also hold his earlier work in a special place and know nothing will ever come close to matching that because I am much older and different now, I feel like Oberst musically has matured with me and doesn't just offer me some nostalgia throw back songs like a lot of other bands that have grown up with me have done. I am a mega fan of his and can safely say that his new work Cassadaga and beyond have been the best work he's ever done. Each record or new project he puts out does something different while still keeping his incredibly smart and interesting lyrical quality. I don't want another Lifted, I already have it. I want to hear something real and fresh. Something interesting that can surprise and take me away from this repeatable world we often live in. At this point in my life, I would MUCH MUCH rather put on a newer Bright Eye's or Oberst solo, or Community Center, or even his Despridicios album over ANY of his earlier work. Unless I was trying to get someone into his music, then I guess you might have to start at the greatest hits.

[@TP_Gillz]

PS I cant spell, and am too lazy to look it up, deal.

[@sinnsage]

it makes sense to me and i get what you are saying. i agree somewhat, but i am definitely still able to enjoy his post-cassadaga work. going to give this one a few more listens before i come down on it one way or the other

[@bayleyasher]

"Time Forgot" and "Mamah Borthwick" hit my 30-something heart pretty hard. "I would need a time machine to fulfil all of my fantasies; a hidden dream can be embarrassing, and the only thing that's sacred til the end."

[@Z533xxx]

I got into his old music in my 20s and it was just as powerful to me.

[@butterthyme2241]

I love you Anthony but I can’t disagree any harder with you on Peoples Key.

[@TheSpelledMilk]

Agreed. Loved it from the first moment I heard it. I dkw couldn't. You are on Cap!

[@AstOnokGaming]

Cant believe you juet slept on calais to dover like that. Probably my favourite song on the record after persona non grata

[@rubysnelson6193]

it’s too late antnee, i already formed my own opinion on this album

[@findlayrutherford]

comet song is amazing. I hope conor is okay

[@Leibide]

The only bright eyes here are yours anthony

[@Leibide]

This comment has not aged well

[@mimo_7174]

lolllll

[@gotrejo]

hey Anthony my moms boyfriend is staying the night is it ok if I can stay at your house for the weekend

[@redshift912]

lifted was so good

[@ZaddyZavid]

Its a fun experience on vinyl becuz it breaks the album into 4 sides and you have to flip twice to complete 1 full listen of the album.

[@redshift912]

jet black yeah . I loved everything about that album . IMO his best work .

[@billymessenger3982]

@@ZaddyZavid you literally described any double LP lolol

[@ZaddyZavid]

@@billymessenger3982 i no but i nvr did that b4 n lifted is pretty good all the way thru thou...also it was so diff from listen to a cd. I listened to 1 or 2 dbl lp afters n it wasn't as good cuz they wern't a good albums. Hissing fauna i believe..

[@davidadams2395]

@@ZaddyZavid _Hissing Fauna_ was a great album, but it could have been a single, Extended LP.

[@deadenddrive-in3166]

You’d like it better if it was a Swans/Death Grips collaboration album. Admit it!!!

[@ihoopalittlebit]

Damn only 4 n words this time I see your really improving

[@michaelmoss5051]

Not a bad review. The album has the DNA of all the other bright eyes records sprinkled throughout. Conor uses objects and symbols just like he did on Fevers (scales, clocks, calendars, glass, locks of hair, mirrors, jewelry, gold, water, ghosts, ivy, porcelain, dolls, black ribbons, secrets) on Down in the Weeds (carnival games, firing squads, rifles, spinning canes, roses, dirigible floats, lion tamers and ringmasters, odometers, maps, contortionists, tightropes, bombs and warfare, comets). The symbols and images are more “Sgt. Peppers” vaudeville/circus, whereas in Fevers they are more opulent, angsty, adoslecent. Either way, both albums have Conor attempting to understand himself in the midst of the objects that surround him - I really appreciate this as a listener. There are a lot of subtle references to Fevers, Cassadaga, People’s Key, that I can spot in the lyrics - but sonically this album borrows the most from Lifted with blown out guitars and big orchestral sections. The ‘story’ of the album is laid out as a journey - Conor occupies the fantastical bandleader role on a sort of futuristic luxury transoceanic airship adventure - performing in front of the patrons who are set to relive their memories or “Most Vivid Nightmares”. The vibe of the record is slightly campy by design. Conor basically ascends and flies with us through the peaks and valleys of his life, up high, down the Marianas trench, and then even further into the weeds. I like how thought provoking the cover art is in that respect - as we get deeper down into the weeds we get closer to the sun, even though the sun should be further away in the sky. The way Conor flips your expectations upside-down integrates nicely with the themes and lyrics of the album. Overall, I liked how this album works on so many different levels and feels like an older bright eyes project built for the modern day. There are some weaker songs and moments here and there but the album is effective in what it sets out to do.

[@RedIsOnline]

Aren't you doing an interview right now? 🤔

[@Jeff-hn8iy]

Gotta disagree. People's Key and Down in the Weeds are two of my favorite Oberst records. And Calais to Dover is one of his best songs. The lyrics are devastating.

[@BillyCobbOfficial]

I’d include their debut with their best

[@Leibide]

Yoo its billy

[@WilliamMaranciMashups]

It's Okay to Leave a Dog in a Hot Car>Hot Car in the Sun

[@loadedpainted7040]

cassadaga is better than letting off the happiness. sorry not sorry.

[@veryuncoolguy8045]

Letting Off The Happiness is easily better than the debut, minus the strange final track. Never got into the debut.

[@loadedpainted7040]

@@veryuncoolguy8045 letting off was the debut

[@capturelightmedia]

Usually I agree with you on most reviews. Bright Eyes is in my top 5. For me, all of their songs hold a special memory in my life. That obviously gives a certain bias to my enjoyment of this new record. One day, if I make it that far, this record will do the same.

[@StevenEatsAlone]

For real. So many songs can take me to a different very specific time in my past.

[@hussguy1990]

This was definitely better then The People's Key but not quite as great as the classics.

[@yosewise]

TPK is flawless

[@SergiDanger]

If Phoebe Bridgers released this album it would be deemed an instant classic

[@crassiervolcan5234]

I really wonder how you have the time to listen and let music live à little with you. My 2 cents, do less videos but more thinked. Mathias from France.

[@justinnemelka6740]

I’m gonna need to find a different review that matches my biases of Conor being the best songwriter of all time. 🤣😅

[@RoadtoJoy88]

I'm soo happy about this release. Thanks for reviewing!!

[@ElYams]

You should do a review on your closet because these outfits are getting pretty repetitive Melon

[@richardstevenson1821]

“The drummer” is Jon Theodore from the Mars Volta melon. Loved the skiffle into jazz break in Mariana Trench

[@Kupokiller]

Conor isn't Phoebe Bridgers "Papa" and you can't keep saying it to make it true Anthony.

[@kushalien7384]

I woke up thinking about Conor Oberst without even knowing about this album today.

[@andrewcampbell3071]

Me too I swear

[@baileyenergy1839]

and just like that, i’m a Bright Eyes expert without ever having listened to them.

[@OhMystii]

Rating the album based on the singers ‘racial purity’ isn’t a review, Anthony.

[@Alderak1]

Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Melon 🍈

[@Jester_851]

It's not fair to say you'd give them a 10 if they were called White Eyes, Anthony

[@ojama4]

MELON PLS DONT GIVE THIS A LOW RATING

[@connorferguson3080]

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NOOOOOOOOOOO WHYYYYYYYYY? GOD NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO NO NO NO NO AHHHHHHHHH

[@peazeralus]

Dude... It's ok. He said Connor "Oberst", not "Ferguson".

[@TheMoonLayingLow]

Even though Bright Eyes is arguably my favorite band, their records to me have always had a lot of skips. They experiment a lot and not all of it connects but personally I pretty much love this album, I didn't know that we'd ever get new music that *sounds* like Bright Eyes, and that is good.

[@loadedpainted7040]

how dare you criticize cassadaga!

[@abramfedorov4483]

I liked this album, and I love their modern performances. Mike is a super friendly guy, I met him drunk as hell outside a show in Portland Maine, I didn't talk much cause he was talking to some regular fans but I did his signature which he said "it'll look real stupid if you only get mine" and because he's apparently the only social guy in the band I do look stupid, love that signature though. This album is great I think, Calais to Dover is so good, dance and sing is also amazing, it's very cool live, Connor does indeed dance and sing and really let loose while the band holds it down.

[@tpags7398]

This is a 10 for me As for fevers, lifted, and wide awake

[@FalconHefty]

“Even Elliott Smith” will always be a wrong statement

[@cringkamp]

I really love this album. I would place it above both The People's Key and Cassadaga. It's been on heavy rotation. So many standouts, but "Stariwell Song" and "Hot Car in the Sun" murder me everytime.

[@TheMason658]

With the context of what Pageturners Rags is about the "song" becomes so much better. It's not something you listen to every time but it adds to the theme of the album and is a really emotionally touching moment, hearing his mother talk about her dead son, with the rose bush coming back after he died was intense.

[@NeedleInTheHay1990]

I am a die-hard Conor fan - I have seen almost every project he has played with over the last 15 years, cherish even the weakest albums, and crave any hint he and his team drops. That said, my biggest criticism of this record is that it sounds like an amalgamation of Bright Eyes's discography with nearly every song sounding like some reconstruction of prior songs.The album doesn't have a unified "sound" like every previous record. As a friend reminded me, though, Conor and company described Down in the Weeds as a "love letter" to their previous work. Well, seal it with a kiss, because it definitely grew on me like an ex you can't and won't quit.

[@TheJthom182]

I couldn't disagree with this dude more... What the hell is wrong with The People's Key?? And no love or even a mention of Digital Ash?? I love this new album more and more the more I listen to it...

[@sciurine]

What happened to digital ashes in a digital urn? It's amaaaaazing.

[@davenewkirk1894]

Ya know, pretentious gon' get pretentious. You can tell when he just really WANTS to hate on something rather think artistically.

[@kungfujiujitsufliptrick4832]

6/10?? u fckn kidding?

[@cryptotab2090]

Amazing Album Thank you Conor:) 6/10 are you joking , this is 9/10 ... no idea

[@jayden5756]

Asking Anthony to review MM...FOOD until he does day 24

[@hismajestyrick2184]

Even when he does though, it'd be for Classics week. You'll be doing this till January at least dude

[@markhowards420]

I hadnt heard of bright eyes until they played the recording of pan and broom at the end of a james corden episode. Then I discovered Lucious , I'm so glad I've found them . :-)

[@jacobmorales323]

Good album, we really got to see Conor age what a fantastic song writer

[@kujasan]

When i encountered Bright Eyes in the earliest of the 2000s, i hated his vocals. But when Conors writing is on, it is ON. So i eventually listened more until i started to love the honesty in his cracking voice. For me, some of his songs are among the best lyrics ever written. When Bob Dylan won his Nobel and people started debating if this was even eligible for songwriting, songs like 'Lua' and 'We are nowhere, and it's now' came to my mind. Even if the intensity of his records wasn't quite the same since Cassadaga, i am convinced the boy who wrote 'No Lies, Just Love' would have been dead for long, provided he didn't change his path. So honestly i am very happy we still have this guy.

[@TheClever69]

No Lies Just Love hit so fucking hard for me when I first heard it. I discovered Bright Eyes in the midst of a serious mental breakdown a few years ago and when I heard No Lies Just Love it was spooky because the lyrics almost described my situation perfectly. I was suicidal, but then when my brother had kids it made me realise I had to keep fighting, and I had to be there for them, to try and be a good influence to them, and not leave them without an uncle. The main difference from Conor's situation is that my brother and I have never been very close (we love eachother, we just don't have anything much in common) but it was crazy how much his story paralleled my own Sorry for the rant haha, I just adore that song

[@kujasan]

@@TheClever69 Keep on Fighting, man. You are loved. You are worth.

[@Caspeaon]

This abulm art is just phenomenal, some of my favorite ever maybe

[@tachycardia2224]

He called Dance and Sing a "stunning moment." Dang straight. That song is Bright Eyes fully realized, and can hang comfortably and confidently with the very best he's ever produced.

[@xXDrCancerXx]

Bro nice video but you need to so something from immortal technique

[@GaelGamaa]

Anthony where tf do you get all this weird music from ???

[@axelmoriya2708]

Melon lord bending some bullshit, this was an awesome LP.

[@upielipsonyoutube9272]

Love bright Proud to be from the same state as a musical genius

[@viron3664]

Don't know about the band or the album but damn I like me that cover.

[@Breakfastfood666]

I hate this review so much. - a Bright Eyes fanboi

[@mikelance4113]

Cassadaga is easily my favourite BE / CO album.

[@spankewe]

The whole album is a fun sing-a-long, and whats wrong with adults acknowledging how messed up the world really is?

[@bur3k594]

petition for melon to review Walking W by Flight

[@jessie6439]

My mans gotta drop his skincare routine

[@johntrue3603]

Review walking w by flight reacts

[@MasterCarve]

How dare you insult rustic boomer dinner parties. Reported.

[@thomasdoyle6812]

Idk the songs are really growing on me even though I agree that the aesthetic isn't that novel. Album cover of the year tho.