From the manufacturer

About us

Saddle Creek is an independent record label founded in Omaha in 1993 with staff in Omaha, NE, Los Angeles, CA, New York, NY, Seattle, WA and Glasgow, Scotland (UK).

Track Listings

1	Clairaudients (Kill or Be Killed)
2	Four Winds
3	If The Brakeman Turns My Way
4	Hot Knives
5	Make A Plan To Love Me
6	Soul Singer In A Session Band
7	Classic Cars
8	Middleman
9	Cleanse Song
10	No One Would Riot For Less
11	Coat Check Dream Song
12	I Must Belong Somewhere
13	Lime Tree

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

If Wide Awake... was "the New York City album", then Cassadaga is "the America album", in which Oberst diaries his travels around the country and articulates his sense of history in the landscape. Should you have looked, you'd have found the band tucked away in various studios around the country. Recording for the first time outside of the Lincoln, NE studio belonging to Mogis, the Bright Eyes cast of players were busy in studios in Portland, OR, New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Amazon.com

On their sixth and most straightforwardly clean album, Nebraska's Bright Eyes once again integrate a revolving cast of players to the mix, including Portland tunesmith M. Ward and alt-country queen Gillian Welch. But the band remains at the helm of forever-wunderkind Conor Oberst, and the fruitful songwriter has one-upped 2005's I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning with a proficient and accessible ensemble of expansive pop orchestrations and ornate folk songs that chronicle his traverses across the American panorama. Oberst's voice quakes and wanders through South Dakota lore and Sunshine State chicanery, always the perfect vehicle for his threadbare lyrics. "Take the fruit from the tree/Break the skin with your teeth/Is it bitter or sweet/All depends on your timing," he forewarns in "Cleanse Song," a psychedelic merry-go-round of a soundtrack that joins the Scottish-tinged "Soul Singer in a Session Band" and singalong single "Four Winds" as Cassadaga's finest. The 13-song-record is certain to open more doors for a band whose recognition has soared with every release since Oberst was just 14. --Scott Holter

Product details

Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.92 x 5.67 x 0.47 inches; 3.81 Ounces
Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ SADDLE CREEK RECORDS
Item model number ‏ : ‎ 2089394
Original Release Date ‏ : ‎ 2007
Date First Available ‏ : ‎ February 11, 2007
Label ‏ : ‎ SADDLE CREEK RECORDS
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000N60HCW
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1

Best Sellers Rank: #232,724 in CDs & Vinyl (See Top 100 in CDs & Vinyl)
- #4,725 in Indie Rock
- #6,320 in Pop Singer-Songwriters
- #12,679 in Folk (CDs & Vinyl)

Customer Reviews:
4.7 146 ratings

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4.7 out of 5

146 global ratings

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Anvil.Chorus

I am so glad to make Mr Obert's musical acquaintance...

Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2007

Verified Purchase

This is the first CD I have bought of Bright Eyes and I am very happy that I did.

When I first saw the video for Four Winds I didn't get it. I thought the video was clever set in a county fair pavillion. Then the more I watched it the more I listened to the lyrics. Holy Cow! THe lyrics of this song alone is so well smithed that the country sounding backdrop started to melt away, which usually is a distraction for me (since I listen to more electronic based music). I broke down and bought the album after reading the rave reviews here.

The CD in its entirety is an amazing treat of sonics and feels. The lyrical genius shines through on each and every track. The music is so well composed and executed that I feel right in the music every time I listen to the CD. Absolute brilliance.

And the mixing and production on this gem is top notch as well.

My favorite tracks have got to be Four Winds, Soul Singer In A Session Band, Coat Check Dream Song and I Must Belong Somewhere, although every track has a distinctive merit.

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Stratman

Excellent in every way

Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2007

Verified Purchase

I hear all kinds of influences on this CD: Simon & Garfunkel, Pink Floyd, Jackson Browne, Marc Bolan(T.Rex), Dylan, Eagles, Billy Joel, etc. The variety of songs is amazing, but the common theme is great music and lyrics. The best stuff I have heard in 25 years. Great production and mixing. It just doesn't get any better. Exceptional creativity and talent. This CD will be a future classic.

2 people found this helpful

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I've been to Cassadaga

Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2007

Verified Purchase

Literally!

I just got back from a trip to that area with my wife not even a week ago. Cassadaga was just a short stroll from the B&B where we were staying. At Steve's Records in downtown Deland, we by chance found out that Bright Eyes was about to release this album, and that he had spent weeks at Cassadaga gaining inspiration. I knew I had to order this album. It arrived in the mail yesterday.

Well, let me tell you, after a few listens, I pretty much have to agree with all of the positive reviews that have been given so far. I'll be honest with you and say this is the first BE album I own, but now know it won't be the last. I can easily see the level of maturity and refinement the other reviewers speak of. The it's orchestral Beatlesesque opener, he goes on to present a refined album that covers a broad spectrum of emotion while somehow managing to remain upbeat throughout. I was very impressed with the lyrics, vocals, playing of the instruments and topnotch production. Any person with even a passing interest in albums in a modern Alt-Country/Folk theme should pick this up, and I don't see how any long time fans could be disappointed with Cassadaga.

My only regret is that we didn't have this during our visit to that part of Florida. It would have been the perfect soundtrack for our vacation. As it was, we played MoFro's Country Ghetto most of the time, and that fit pretty darn well.

Another oft negected point is the album art. Cudos to the designers for the creative "Spectral Decoder" that is the only way to see what is on the the 5 flaps. It really adds to the overall album experience. toderu ouoa!

Anyway, a highly recommended album for almost any occasion. Conor, you've made a fan out of me!

15 people found this helpful

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Charleattack

I have no clever title for this one.

Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2013

Verified Purchase

God. I remember listen to this album on a heavy HEAVY rotation like freshman year in college. This was also the album I was listening to when this girl dumped me.

So yeah, it brings me back some really great memories.

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Mr. Mike

So I enjoy what he produces

Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2017

Verified Purchase

I am a Bright Eyes fan. So I enjoy what he produces.

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cherie burden

It was for my son and he says 4 stars ...

Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2016

Verified Purchase

It was for my son and he says 4 stars. I will say it wasnt available anywhere else i looked.

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jennaveeve007

Great Album, Even better in vinyl

Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2013

Verified Purchase

The album had a really cool cover with holograms and a secret decoder. I was thrilled to finally get this album in vinyl. The sound quality is unreal.

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Julia Rosario

Another perfect Bright Eyes CD

Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2013

Verified Purchase

This CD has so many calming and enjoyable levels to it, It would be a shame to not have it handy. So many great tracks filled with amazing lyrics.

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TheUpdate

Maybe the best...

Reviewed in Canada on August 8, 2016

Verified Purchase

Maybe the best Bright Eyes album in my mind.

Stefy

Plein mais un peu creux

Reviewed in France on December 3, 2015

Verified Purchase

Bright Eyes, c'est Conor Oberst. L'homme est doué et, sur cet album, il envoie tout ce qu'il a. On parle ici d'une americana, entre folk et rock, 13 titres variés qui donne un album plein et riche. C'est qu'Oberst a du talent, incontestablement, et s'est donc pris la peine de composer des morceaux pleinement aboutis, aux mélodies jamais prises en défaut, rehaussés d'arrangements bien pensés et structurés qui viennent toujours enrichir le morceau.

Vraiment, chaque titre est porté au maximum de ses possibilités, tant du point de vue de l'écriture que des arrangements. Notons enfin une instrumentation là encore variée et conséquente alliée à une production fournie mais bien intemporelle. 13 titres qui en font bien un album réussi, qui saura plaire à tous les amateurs du genre, voire au-delà.

Alors je pinaille peut-être, j'aime bien cet album, ne m'y ennuie jamais mais pourtant un petit quelque chose me titille. Conor Oberst se montre certes épatant mais émeut peu finalement. Il y a comme un goût d'inachevé à l'arrivée. Car enfin, s'il fait montre d'un brio irréprochable dans son écriture, on aurait aimé que le gars fasse montre également de plus de personnalité et de singularité. Tout est très bien ici, très en place, intelligemment pensé et finement torché. Pour autant on a la bizarre impression de se trouver en face d'un Steve Earle beaucoup trop vert et pontifiant ou d'un Wilco sans substance et trop calculateur.

On aurait aimé, bêtement, un peu plus d'âme, d'épanchement de soi, de vérité, en somme, plutôt qu'une impressionnante ribambelle de chansons qui tendent plus à démontrer l'éventail des possibilités du garçon que de partager des émotions universelles. Le jour où Oberst donnera plus de lui-même et vivra vraiment sa musique, il sera alors intouchable et un immense songwriter. Pour l'heure, et c'est déjà pas mal, on tient là un bien beau disque fort recommandable.

Mais cet album tend aussi à prouver que si on ne crée pas de grandes choses uniquement avec de bons sentiments, l'inverse est également vrai: on ne crée pas de grandes œuvres uniquement sur la base d'un savoir-faire, si conséquent soit-il.

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MightyMouse

Erfrischend anders. Am besten aber als Vinyl bestellen

Reviewed in Germany on February 3, 2015

Verified Purchase

Habe mir dieses Album eigentlich nur des Downloads wegen auf CD bestellt da bei der Platte (ärgerlicherweise) kein Downloadcode mitgeliefert wurde. Diese lief allerdings seit Jahren regelmäßig und ist eine mein Lieblings-Bright Eyes- Alben.

Zur enthaltenen Musik ist zu sagen dass Cassadaga für mich deutlich anders klingt als viele andere Bright Eyes Alben. Es ist eindeutig "reifer" und weniger krachig im Vergleich zu vielen älteren Veröffentlichungen was für mich eine klare Stärke dieses Albums darstellt. Wer also die sonst für Bright Eyes so typischen Songs in Lo-Fi-Singersongwriter Manier sucht wird mit diesem Album nicht glücklich werden. Stattdessen wird einem eine Zusammenstellung von Songs geboten die genretechnisch sehr weit gefächert ist. Vom Countrylastigen "Four Winds" bis zum klassisch instrumentierten "Lime Tree" wird so einiges abgedeckt. Ein musikalisch meiner Meinung nach unglaublich ausgereiftes Album auf dem sich beinahe ausschließlich geniale Songs befinden.

Zur CD selbst ist zu sagen dass ich etwas erstaunt war dass obwohl das Artwork beinahe eins zu eins von der Platte übernommen wurde der dort enthaltene "Spectral Decoder" ohne den das komplette Artwork seinen Sinn verliert (Das scheinbar graue Cover enthält wenn man es mit diesem "Filter" betrachtet ein verstecktes Artwork) nicht beigelegt war. Sonst allerdings optisch sehr schön.

Für das unvollständige Artwork müsste man eigentlich eine andere Wertung abgeben da aber das musikalische Material auf diesem Album absolut genial ist trotzdem 5 von 5.

2 people found this helpful

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Kate Bradley

Make a plan to buy this

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 28, 2011

Verified Purchase

I've never fully understood why so many Bright Eyes fans leap to criticise the 'over-production' on Cassadaga - it's the overt mysticism which is the real change in Bright Eyes' style on this album, and it really doesn't suffer from the strings and brass that this so-called over-production has added. I like Cassadaga because tracks like 'Hot Knives' and 'Middleman' never get old, get richer on every listen, and other than tiny lyrical embarrassments such as "cauliflower in the casserole", I feel that this is just another great Bright Eyes album.

If you're lamenting the lack of an under-produced quiet track that may as well be solo, like 'Lua' or something, then sure, grieve for a while. But that's missing the beauty and craftmanship that this album retains despite its level of instrumentation.

Cristian

Great!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 12, 2019

Verified Purchase

Great!

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