Bright Eyes – Hot Knives
Despite being mainly the brainchild of one man, Conor Oberst the number of personnel in Bright Eyes can reach 12 in number at live shows.For this second single from the flighty and explorative ‘Cassadaga’, O’berst hurries his vocals in a surge to communicate his forlorn state, helped along by a melee of chugging guitars. Calmness and composure is scattered around through a strong, ethereal backing element that includes none other than Z Berg (The Like) and the understated songstress Rachel Yamagata. A shuddering and emotive whirlpool suddenly builds up and Bright Eyes’ reputation for searching song-crafting seems reach another level.
For the theatrical B-side ‘If The Brakeman Turns My Way’, it is the clambering organ of core member, Nate Walcot that ties the number together. This strolls alongside the poetic cries of O’Berst to turn into a commanding and philosophical escape. Bright Eyes are truly burning at the moment.