Song Review: Bright Eyes’ “Shell Games”

cover

“Shell Games” is the new single off Bright Eyes’ new upcoming album titled The People’s Keys. The song starts with Conor Oberst singing the metaphor-filled lyrics with the company of a piano. What seems to be a slow paced melancholic song is broken down by an explosion of synth, piano and drums that play in unison to create a great steady beat. With an almost electro-rock feel to it, “Shell Games” is a mesh of great lyrics and an interesting composition. Check out the song over at Pitchfork, and the new album cover above!

Bright Eyes Return to the Road


For the first time in over three years, folk rockers Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis and Nathaniel Walcott will be hitting the road for a US tour. Better known as Bright Eyes, the trio will be joined on this tour by an array of talented musicians who helped put together the band’s 7th full-length release. Set for a February 15th release date, The People’s Key is sure to featured a slew of indie classics.

Upcoming Tour Dates
3/2 The Fillmore Miami Beach @ The Jackie Gleason Miami, FL

3/3 House of Blues Lake Buena Vista, FL

3/4 Tabernacle Atlanta, GA

3/5 Thomas Wolf Auditorium Asheville, NC

3/6 The National Richmond, VA

3/8 Radio City Music Hall *** New York, NY

3/9 Radio City Music Hall *** (SOLD OUT!) New York, NY

3/10 House Of Blues Boston, MA

3/11 State Theatre Portland, ME

3/13 Sound Academy Toronto, ON

3/14 Royal Oak Royal Oak, MI

3/15 Vic Theatre Chicago, IL

3/17 Ryman Auditorium Nashville, TN

*** Superchunk and Wild Flag support both Radio City shows

MERRY MIXMAS Revamp!


The holidays are soon approaching and we here at Modern Mystery have just the right thing to get you into the Christmas spirit! Holiday music is one of the best things about the season and we hope you enjoy this little, well, er, big mix. It’s our second Mixmas and we went all out with 38 songs this year. Everyone from Matt Pond PA to Of Montreal, you have to check it out below to believe your little eyes. This is the one gift you can peek at this Christmas!

Dressy Bessy- All the Right Reasons
The Sixth Great Lake- Always After Christmas Boring
Asobi Seksu- Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)
Belle and Sebastian- O Little Town of Bethlehem
Blitzen Trapper- Christmas is Coming Soon
Bright Eyes- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Casper and the Cookies- Kiss Me Beneath the Christmas Tree
Ladybug Transistor- Christmas Extravangza
My First Keyboard- Christmas is Only Good If You’re a Girl (Boy)
Of Montreal- Christmas Isn’t Safe for Animals
Essex Green- Deck the Halls
Denison Winter- A Christmas Song
Drive-By Truckers-Mrs. Claus’ Kimono
The Features- Christmas Wish Book
Felice Brothers- Murder by Mistletoe
The Music Tapes- Freeing Song for Reigndeer
Frightened Rabbit- It’s Xmas So We’ll Stop
Fun.- Believe in Me
Gentlemen Auction House- Don’t Want Another Christmas Like Last Christmas
Marbles- Gift for You
Fabulous Bird with Bill Doss-It’s Christmas Time Again
Long Winters- Sometimes You Have to Work on Christmas
Low-Just Like Christmas
Matt Pond PA- Holiday Road
My Morning Jacket- Christmas Time is Here
Of Montreal- My Favorite Christmas (In a Hundred Words or Less)
Reigning Sound- If Christmas Can’t Bring You Home
Rilo Kiley- Xmas Cake
Robbers on High Street- Seasons Greetings
Ryan Adams- Hey Parker, It’s Christmas
Summer Hymns- Santa Couldn’t Fit You Under My Tree
Slow Club- Christmas TV
Sufjan Stevens- That Was the Worst Christmas Ever!
The Wedding Present- White Christmas
The Raveonettes- Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
The Wombats- This is Christmas
The Damnwells- Xmas Eve
The Knife- Christmas Reindeer

Bright Eyes Returns with New Album This Winter!


Conor Oberst fans rejoice! Bright Eyes is BACK! The group will release their newest, and 7th album on February 15, 2011 via Saddle Creek. Titled The People’s Key, will feature ten new tracks from the Oberst, Mike Mogis, Nathaniel Walcott trio.

Additional players on the record include Andy LeMaster, (Now It’s Overhead), Matt Maginn (Cursive), Carla Azar (Autolux), Clark Baechle (The Faint), Shane Aspegren (The Berg Sans Nipple), Laura Burhenn (The Mynabirds) and Denny Brewer (Refried Ice Cream).

What will this sound like you may ask…well we guess it’s too early to tell. The follow-up to Cassadega (Saddle Creek) was a long wait as Oberst dabbled in solo projects and super groups. This could also be the last Bright Eyes record if anyone recalls Conor stating that a few years ago. We will have to wait and see for sure.

Bright Eyes have just announced two shows to get us even more excited about the album release. One at Radio City Music Hall in New York City and the other at Royal Albert Hall in London. You can find the information regarding those shows below. The pre-sales begin TOMORROW, so be sure to have your mouse clicker finger ready.

Take a peek at the show information AND the tracklisting for the new LP. 2011 is already starting off with a bang in indie rock.

Live shows & on sale info:
March 9th New York, NY Radio City Music Hall*
June 23rd London, UK Royal Albert Hall#

*Pre-Sale Begins: December 1 at 12PM EST. Public On-Sale: December 4 at 10AM EST
# Pre-Sale Begins: December 1 at 12PM EST. Public On-Sale: Saturday, December 4 at 9AM

Full track list for The People’s Key
1 Firewall
2 Shell Games
3 Jejune Stars 4 Approximate Sunlight
5 Haile Selassie
6 A Machine Spiritual (In The People’s Key)
7 Triple Spiral
8 Beginner’s Mind
9 Ladder Song
10 One For You, One For Me