Album Review: Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band - Outer South

Last Tuesday, Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band released sophomore album Outer South. I find this album to be fairly typical of what you would expect from Oberst based on his history with numerous bands, namely Bright Eyes. To me, it sounds like standard blues/country rock with a nice mix of slower ballads and more upbeat poppy songs. Unsurprisingly, given my indie pop to shoegazer taste range, I prefer the latter category of songs, "Air Matress," "Rosevelt Room," and "Nikorette" especially. On the slower side, the stand-outs are "Big Black Nothing" and closing track "Snake Hill." Interestingly, three of my fav's aren't even Oberst's output, but different members of the Mystic Valley Band. Oberst takes a back seat to bandmates on six of the sixteen tracks on the album, a refreshingly humble act on a solo album. Overall, the album is solid, but it doesn't blow my mind. It's a pleasant listen for an indie fan, moreso for any who love Bright Eyes and/or bluesy indie in general.

Buy Outer South from Merge Records here.
Track List:
1. Slowly (oh so slowly)
2. To all the Lights in the Windows
3. Big Black Nothing
4. Air Mattress
5. Cabbage Town
6. Ten Women
7. Difference is Time
8. Nikorette
9. White Shoes
10. Bloodline
11. Spoiled
12. Worldwide
13. Roosevelt Room
14. Eagle on a Pole
15. I got The Reason #2
16. Snake Hill