Outer South.

I got Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band's new album, Outer South today. It's pretty good. I mean it's not as good as their last, and certainly not as good as bright Eyes' Wide Awake, but it should excite old-school bright eyes fans. Some other guys in the band (Taylor Hollingsworth, Nik Freitas and Jason Boesel) have songwriting credits, and it's easy to tell who wrote what, but the more collaborative style is pretty sweet. The songs Conor did write sound like Bright Eyes songs ala letting off the happiness and fevers and mirrors, only played by a tight rock band. So people who liked the songwriting on the earlier stuff, but couldnt stand the actual musical and vocal talent of drunk teenagers, you'll wet your pants. It doesn't come out till May 5th, and Ashley got all butt-hurt when I posted the link to the Felice Brothers' leak, so I guess you'll just have to wait for it or find it yourself. Thanks alot, Ashley.

p.s. I can't/haven't tried all that hard to find out who produced it. It doesnt sound like Mike Mogis, so if anyone knows, that would be a nice tidbit.

p.p.s. Also not sure why they're on Merge and not Team Love, but looking at the roster of Merge bands, an old-fashioned label tour would be fuckin awesome.