Customer Reviews

Motion Sickness: Live Recordings

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a great live album in general; the quality is crystal. Connor's live voice is incredibly close to his studio versions, however, the live album caries some quicker tempos and perhaps, more energy. The nuances of his emotive stylings come through in the live versions, which make this Motion Sickness worth the purchase. For all you upset NPR couldn't release the DC performance, this album is just as great. The live performance of "Method Acting" is as good as I've ever found. Those tired of painful quality of live low-fi recordings of a genius low-fi artist will seriously appreciate an album that truly encompasses Bright Eyes' 2005 IWAIM tour. It captures the country twang Oberst adopted along with the predominant use of trumpet and slide guitars which make his new album so unique. There are some great covers such as Mushaboom (Feist) as well as a Nick Drake number. Also, I actually prefer `True Blue' live to the Lua Single studio edition. 'Southern State' is a beautiful song that is more appreciated on repeat listenings.

I had the opportunity to see Bright Eyes last year, and this album had been released at about the same time. It was nice to be able to compare the live show with a live recording, especially after just having seen him.

Conor is a great performer, and even though people tend to have a problem with his voice (which is true of a lot of great artists, Bob Dylan included) I thought his vocal delivery was perfect, both live and on this recording. It's his little inflections, dropped notes and small flaws that give his words and stories character. But he never missed a beat and you can tell he really loves doing what he does.

As well as Conor, Nate Walcott's horn and keys are essential in making these songs what they are, and on this recording you can hear how large of a part he plays in bringing the songs to life. And Bright Eyes guitarist/producer Mike Mogis is also a fantastic asset in this live setting. Conor tends to have a rotating lineup of players on tour with him, but his bands are always amazing together, and this one is no exception.

Someone mentioned their frustration with the songs chosen for this recording, and I will agree. There were a lot of songs I was hoping to hear live and didn't, but I'm sure there was a reason for the choices, and most of this material was pulled from "I'm Wide Awake...", as well as some covers and unreleased material. I thought the Feist cover was great, and Bright Eyes covering Elliott Smith? Awesome. Conor has admitted that Elliott was a huge influence, and it's always nice when artists pay homage to the greats. "True Blue" is a cute little song that I was glad made the cut, and "When the President Talks to God" was a must-have considering all that has happened since the Vote-for-Change tour, where Bright Eyes first unveiled the protest masterpiece.

The recording is good, and it's nice to finally have an official Bright Eyes live cd, however if you get the chance to see him live, I hope you do. If you can sit through the teenage girls yelling random things about impregnation, I think you'll see a great young songwriter who is well on his way to becoming a mainstay in contemporary folk/rock.

Now...to the people who would try to make arguments about that which they do not understand (i.e. some of the reviewers below): to compare Conor Oberst to Bob Dylan is a slap in the face...to Dylan. As great as he is, Conor is 25. Bob Dylan is an American songwriting legend, Bright Eyes is a kid. Though well on his way to being what Bob Dylan has been to a new generation, it is entirely impossible to hold the two together. Conor's vocal and instrumental abilies may not be the best, but it's what he is saying and doing that matters, not just how well his fingers are moving up and down the fret board. Sometimes it's the sloppiness that makes it special. And, lastly, "I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning" is not entirely political. There are plenty of songs that are personal experiences, or the experiences of others, with no politically charged elements, whatsoever. "Lua", "First Day Of My Life" (a love song, no doubt), and "Poison Oak" are, quite simply, well written songs about life.

Don't generalize. It's rude.

If you are a Bright Eyes fan at all, you will immediately love it. Even if your not a fan...you will enjoy. #2 Lua is one of my favorite tracks on the cd. There is a Feist cover that is awesome. True Blue is a good one. And so is make war. The horns in the backround make the record complete and it's cool to hear Conor's voice on some of the tracks w/ out the back up singers. It really is an amazing cd, I love it. Its one of my new favorites for sure.

I was eager to buy this after seeing Bright Eyes play locally, but really, its a disappointment. The album is a lot more muted than the live show I remember, which was entirely captivating and full of an energy thats mostly lacking here. Oh well, its still Bright Eyes!

Motion Sickness, Bright Eyes' third album of 2005, is a compilation of live versions of some of his greatest hits. Many of the songs feature trumpet quite prominently, this working to great effect in "We Are Nowhere And It's Now", "Southern State", and "Old Soul Song." The album also contains his provocatively political and sacreligious single, "When the President Talks to God" as well as a less-whimsically performed and less enjoyable version of the song "True Blue". All in all, the album is a generally good mix of songs (also present is "The Biggest Lie" by Elliot Smith) with a distinct flavour.

This is as far as i know,the first live album from bright eyes;one of the most talented song writers of our age.he is not some bob dylan wannabe like some people desperately rejecting to see his talent say,he is not trying to be anyone; in fact; people are,and will for a long time,try to be like him.

Well to be honest;this album holds nothing special.Although the album has its moments (like landlocked blues for me:)) it doesnt hold any jaw dropping live performances or something really different or unique.There are afew songs i've never heard before;like the simple but moving"president talks to god" and touching "biggest lie" but there arent anything that special.

and i have to say the selection of the live songs kinda irritated me,while there are songs i'd really like to hear live like arienette,sunrise-sunset or false advertising,they've chosed some songs that doesnt really carry the album to its limits.(i dont say they are bad though.)

Whatever,i'm a big Bright eyes fan but i have to be honest and say this album is only for bright eyes fans,and if you are a starter,a really wrong point to start i guess.Buy&enjoy but dont expect it to change your life or make your day like his other works.

if you've seen conor oberst whether with bright eyes or of his solo c.d. and just love his drunkeness.. you will love his voice in this album. It lacked "Lover I don't I have to Love" and Haleigh but other than that I just love hearing his voice.

Darth wader is an idiot, and sounds like a wannabe music critic.

Live songs are usually never as good as the album versions, unless youre at the concert hearing it in person. This album was good for what it was. Live versions of songs that were great already. Conor Oberst doesnt sound like anyone Ive EVER heard. And I agree with the person that said "people will try to be like him for years to come". Oberst is sad, full of vices, borderline insane, controversial (at times), and an alcoholic. Its really something when someone can have all those problems and people still want to be like them.

I'd consider Bright Eyes, my Beatles. They do for me what the Beatles did for millions of people 35 years ago.

I really enjoyed the pictures and narrative included with the cd, which talked about the tour. Hearing about life on the road is a nice way to escape and imagine experiences outside of work and one's cubicle. Of course, the live show is an amazing experience that is hard to capture, but this disc is a great attempt and substitute in between tours. The Fiest and Elliott Smith covers are a must, as well as the version of Road to Joy.

On this live compilation, Conor Oberst manages to suck the life out of almost every song -- his own, and the cover tracks. Instead of delivering frenetic, upbeat, and loose versions of the songs, Oberst sputters out slow, controlled renditions with bare-bones instrumental backing. On his studio tracks, Oberst's lyrical delivery is natural and fluid; even his clamorous outbursts seem unplanned. On this disc, Oberst sounds like he's reading the words from his liner notes -- matching them exactly, but lacking true feeling.

On the final track, Oberst disgraces the late Elliott Smith with a dismally dry cover of Smith's "The Biggest Lie." The only high point on this disc is the previous track, a whimsical and enjoyable version of the campy Lua B-side "True Blue."

Steer clear of "Motion Sickness" and pick up the studio tracks on "I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning" instead.