Conor Oberst has been recording since he was 13. Yep. I'm telling the truth. Maybe practice really does make perfect. This boy is still releasing amazing records. I don't think he can stop.

The newest effort from Bright Eyes, LIFTED or The Story Is In The Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground is another dang good record. The packaging is amazing in itself. The jewel case is wrapped in its own sleeve, and if you can pry it free, one of the coolest CD booklets ever made is inside. The whole thing is made to look like an aged book. The front of the booklet has a linen cover (photographed of course). When you open it, a title page and table of contents follow, and then the songs are laid out in paragraphs, like chapters. As you flip through the yellowed pages, you get the impression that you're reading an old book. You've gotta see this to understand the visual impact it has. It's really a brillant idea, and suits the record perfectly. Each song is a different story, a different chapter in someone's life.

I think each person that listens to this record could get something totally unique out of the experience. It is an emotional and brilliant look into the mind of one of the most interesting musicians recording today. Everyone's comparing him to a young Bob Dylan. I guess you can decide for yourself.

Oberst is back this time with a full orchestra powering his sound. His voice always has stood out in an ever-growing crowd of indie rock singer/songwriters. It's brutally honest, youthful, and refreshing. It trembles with passion and raw emotion. I mean, this could be your brother singing about his life. It reaches you and says, "hey, I know what you've got going on in your life. I'm there too."

The music of LIFTED is extremely diverse, from the beautifully orchestrated waltz-like tune of "False Advertising" to the groovy bass/drumbeats of "Lover I Don't Have To Love" to the Violent Femmes-esque "Don't Know When But A Day Is Gonna Come" to the straight up country song "Make War." My favorite track, "Waste of Paint" again reminds me of The Violent Femmes. His honest vocals permeate each song. The lyrics on this record aren't as depressing or isolated as his songs on Fevers and Mirrors, but nonetheless get you thinking about your life, and wondering how this kid knows so much about it. Oberst is one of the better writers that's releasing music today. He throws an interesting perspective on life, love, and loss, and makes you want to listen to more. LIFTED will hit you where it hurts. Don't take this one lightly.