Oh Holy Fools - The Music by Bright Eyes/Son, Ambulance [VINYL]

$

34

Tracks:
Brown Park
Going For the Gold
Invention of Beauty, The
Oh, You Are the Roots That Sleep Beneath My Feet and Hold the Earth In Place
On the Concourse
No Lies, Just Love
Kaite Come True
Kathy With a K's Song
Brown Park
Going For the Gold
Invention of Beauty, The
Oh, You Are the Roots That Sleep Beneath My Feet and Hold the Earth In Place
On the Concourse
No Lies, Just Love
Kaite Come True
Kathy With a K's Song

Performer Notes:

• Bright Eyes: Andy Lemaster (vocals, keyboards); Conor Oberst (acoustic & electric guitars, piano, keyboards); Mike Mogis (electric & pedal steel guitars, mandolin, electric piano, synthesizers, bass, percussion); Jiha Lee (flute); Steve Micek (B-flat horn); Justin (trumpet); Shane Aspergren (drums).
• Son, Ambulance: Joe Knapp (vocals, guitar); Landon Hedges (bass); Jeff Koster (drums).
• For his second split release with fellow Omaha songwriter Joe Knapp (recording as Son, Ambulance), Bright Eyes mastermind Conor Oberst and his rotating crew of talented musicians proudly offer up four striking new originals. Contributing the same number of tracks, Son, Ambulance introduces a unique musical perspective as Knapp's jerky guitar and piano-based compositions float along with his lazy high-range vocals, producing a sound akin to more upbeat Belle & Sebastian recordings. The album opening "Brown Park" is an uplifting childlike ride, and Knapp's final submission of "Katie Come True" proves that he's nearly as talented as Oberst when it comes to pop songwriting. Bright Eyes' contributions are equally engaging, and again prove that a penchant for a bit of melodrama can be overlooked in the company of startling and confessional lyric writing. Backed by what may be his best band to date, Oberst's songs are brought to life with the help of producer Mike Mogis and flutist Jiha Lee, whose contributions are particularly transcendent on tracks like "Going for the Gold" and in the explosive resolution of "Kathy With a K's Song." Oh Holy Fools is a magnificent showcase of two uniquely gifted singer/songwriters, and if you're a fan of one it's almost safe to guarantee that the other will also blow you away. ~ Peter J. D'Angelo

Professional Reviews: Spin (3/01, p.150) - "...[They] schwing their indiepop sensitivity with a passive-aggressiveness even rap-rockers might appreciate....the 2 yin-yang nicely..."

Entertainment Weekly (2/9/01, p.78) - "Bright Eyes' young Conor Oberst has a poet's ear for life's heartbreaking truths, while Son, Ambulance lob lovesick softballs like an irony-free Belle and Sebastian..." - Rating: B+

Alternative Press (4/01, p.85) - 3 out of 5 - "...Sweet and enjoyable....creating gorgeous backdrops for their leader's observations..."

Format: Vinyl (1 Disc); Stereo

Country: USA

Studio/Live: Studio

Release Date: 25 November, 2002

Label: Saddle Creek Records