Newsweek's Devin Gordon has fallen in love with one of the two new Bright Eyes discs...
Each song is like a complete thought, with nothing more, or less, than necessary. His voice often climbs to an angsty, almost-punk roar, while his band, as if oblivious, sticks to its honest country vibe. Best of all is "Land Locked Blues," a duet with Emmylou Harris about love, fighting and surrender: "The world's got me dizzy again/you'd think after 22 years I'd be used to the spin/And it only feels worse when I stay in one place/so I'm always pacing around or walking away." Then a lonely, and unexpected, trumpet solo just nails you.
Esquire's Andy Langer calls the song "the finest moment by far on either album." Judge for yourself:
Bright Eyes - "Landlocked Blues"
"Road To Joy" is clever too.
I saw Ray last night. Jamie Foxx was damn good, but more important: Willow is in it!
