all words and slightly beer soaked review by Alyssa Lesser
This year, Conor Oberst and Jenny Lewis headlined the annual free 4th of July show in Battery Park.
Jenny banged out a powerful set and was amazing, as usual. She played a lot off of Acid Tongue, a few songs off of Rabbit Fur Coat (including Oberst accompaniment on “Handle With Care”), and an acoustic version of Rilo Kiley’s “Silver Lining.” I’ve been obsessed with Rilo Kiley since I was in middle school, and in my eyes, Lewis can do no harm. Her voice live is equally, if not moreso, as fantastic as it is on recording, she prances around in booty shorts, and she is one of the kindest, most humble musicians I’ve ever met. Did I also mention that she writes amazingly catchy and witty songs, and has a super-sultry voice? I couldn’t ask for anything more.
Since I didn’t actually have a press pass for this show…and I don’t really like Conor Oberst that much, I didn’t bust my ass to take any photos of him. Sorry. But Jenny is far cuter, anyway. I’ve tried getting into Oberst’s music many a time, and it just doesn’t do much for me. I hate how much recognition he gets for doing the singer-songwriter thing that so many others out there do so much better than he does. I hate how some douche thought it was a great idea to call him “the Bob Dylan of our generation.” I hate all the hype surrounding his music. I hate how seemingly little he showers. And if I were Conor, I’d sure as hell hate to have to follow Lewis’ amazing set.
I chilled on the grass with my brother and those amazing red-white-and-blue popsicles for the first few songs of Oberst’s lackluster set, until we finally just left. I wasn’t expecting much out of him, so I wasn’t too disappointed.
My favorite band in world, Rilo Kiley. <3
July 7, 2009 at 12:54 pmGreat pix! Jenny Lewis is amazing and Acid Tongue was my favorite album last year.
July 7, 2009 at 1:16 pmsome of my favorite show photos of late
July 7, 2009 at 1:28 pmSince middle school? Rilo Kiley was around when the writer was in freakin’ middle school?!?!?! Holy shit, I really am way too old for this Web site.
July 9, 2009 at 1:53 pmdon’t worry – i’m only 19.
(…but i was one freakin’ cool middle-schooler!!)
July 9, 2009 at 6:05 pmDear alyssa,
If i had ever seen any music you have written, or possibly even what you constitute as “good music” I would give your article some thought. However, seeing as how you stated the reason you enjoyed Jenny’s set more than conors was because she was “cuter”, all of your credibility goes out the window. If i wanted to read a review on a show that just bad mouths a very talented artist with no support for why they are bad, I would read the literature carved into a bathroom stall. Although, they would probably use more creative words than douche. Read a book, read Rollingstone, read the other review on conor oberst, for God sake read something before you write another pitiful excuse for a review. Every journalist should be embarrassed that this got published. We are all now stupider after reading this load of crock.
Sincerely, Fan of Music
1) “Stupider” is not a real word.
2) I know this is not a legitimate review. I do not actually write for this website; I am not a writer. I am a photographer
(Were I a writer, I obviously would have spent way more time writing this. I, instead, spent all my time taking and editing the photos for you to look at. I hope you like them). Generally, when a reviewer isn’t around to accompany a photographer at a show, the photographer will write some words to accompany the piece so as to render the photos not entirely random.
3) Both of my parents are fucking HIGHLY CREDIBLE INTERNATIONAL JOURNALISTS, and they are proud of everything I do.
4) You shouldn’t be surprised to learn that some of my favorite musicians are some of Conor Oberst’s biggest influences. Actually, my favorite musicians pretty much produce unarguably incredible, mind-blowing music that has transposed space AND time. So don’t tell me I don’t know what good music is.
5) I’m glad you think I should read more Rolling Stone.
I think you should read less Rolling Stone. Are you on their payroll?
6) I have read shittons of reviews regarding Conor’s music, thank you very much. I did not call Conor Oberst a douche. I called the person who wrote the review about him citing him as “this generation’s Bob Dylan” a douche.
I stand by that statement until the end of time.
7) If you (or anyone reading this) personally believe (s) that Conor Oberst is anywhere near as greatly influential as Bob Dylan was/is, please go suck a huge cock and die. You are ignorant. Also, I’m pretty sure Conor Oberst himself would agree with that statement.
Love,
Fan of Irony
Conor Oberst’s hat could write a better review. I agree with casey.. it sounds like hes the one that should be writing reviews. I WANT CASEY’S OPINION IN AND AROUND MY BRAIN. the whole review just reeks of hipster dyke-y-ness. maybe i just didnt like it because im not a huge bitch but then again maybe you didn’t like conor oberst’s music because your not intelligent enough to understand it. he is clearly the best round peg on the music scene right now it s too bad that your just a square hole.
love,
fan of giant hats
I’m glad people are beating me up for not liking someone’s music. Real accepting. I actually respect people who have different opinions than I do – as long as they are justified opinions, and my opinions are perfectly justified.
Kevin:
Before you insult my intelligence, please learn the difference between “your” and “you’re.” Thanks.
Casey:
First of all, I didn’t tell YOU to eat a cock and die. I also didn’t call you ignorant. I told those who believe “that Conor Oberst is anywhere near as greatly influential as Bob Dylan is/was” to eat a cock and die. They are out there. You would have noticed this if you had read what I said more closely instead of just getting pissed off and then yelling at me.
I have plenty to say that backs my general distaste for Conor’s music. And AGAIN, LIKE I SAID BEFORE, I spent a ton of time taking and uploading these pictures and totally not getting paid for doing so, so people could enjoy them. I actually didn’t even have a press pass for this show, like I normally do. I stood in a sweaty crowd of people and busted my ass taking photos for the site. I know plenty of people who appreciate that, and frankly that is good enough for me.
I did not have time to write an in-depth review about this show. I now realize that I should have just written an in-depth review in the first place, because I have spent much more time that I don’t have responding to you guys. Though, I do not think I am qualified to write an in-depth review of this show because I had to leave early. And now I will tell you (again, in short, and if you want to have an in-depth conversation about this I would love to do so at an opportune time), “intelligently,” why I have issues with Conor Oberst.
1) I have heard many stories of him being rude and unappreciative to his fans, which I think is about the least cool thing any musician could do.
2) For one reason or another, his singing voice doesn’t do much for me. I know tons of people who love it, and I have tried to, but I just don’t. My best friend in the entire world loves Conor, and she respects that his music just doesn’t do it for me.
3) At this particular show, what I heard of his set was low-energy and impersonal; Oberst didn’t really sound like he wanted to be there. I find this, as well, to be very frustrating and disappointing.
4) There is too much hype surrounding him. Period. And just as you got angry at me for having unjustifiably negative views of his music, I am angry at other reviewers who have written unjustifiably positive reviews of his music.
5) I think he gets credited for delivering a sound that I find other artists out there to be doing better than he is (I said this in my review). It is frustrating to see so many small, talented artists struggling and – at least for a time (I don’t really find this an issue anymore, but it was pertinant about four years ago) – one artist who has seemingly monopolized upon all the positive singer-songwriter press.
6) There are some Bright Eyes songs and albums that I LOVE. I think that he has created some special music. I had the Desaparecidos album on my ipod for a long time a while ago, before I realized I only really liked one song on that album; I think “Manana” is an incredible song. I think the rest of that album sort of sucked.
I have his solo album on my ipod, I have tried listening to it many times, and I just don’t think it is that special. Again, this is simply a difference of opinion and IT IS OKAY FOR THERE TO BE DIFFERENCES IN OPINION IN THE WORLD!
I could probably say more regarding this subject, but I really think it is redundant and I think I have said enough. If you cannot respect my difference of opinion at this point, I really don’t know what else to do.
Also, as a seperate general notice, it is completely juvenile and obnoxious to pass judgment upon people on the internet that you don’t even know or have never met. I hope that one day people stop doing this.
July 12, 2009 at 12:42 pmDear Alyssa,
Thanks for backing up your review. I now respect your opinion because you gave reasons for it. Thanks for responding to my posts, I never actually thought anyone would.
If you wanna talk about overrated tripe, please don’t be a fan of Jenny Lewis/Rilo Kiley.
July 15, 2009 at 2:37 pmI tend to agree. Their/her music isn’t that great, and she’s not even that hot. Maybe everyone is still reminded of boy meets world or whatever tween show she used to be on that enabled her to start her pathetic music career.
July 15, 2009 at 2:46 pmDear Alyssa,
Although i completely disagree with your views of Conor, i have to admire your integrity to back up your opinion. I don’t however, agree with the fact that you should leave a show and refuse to take pictures of an artists just because of your bias against him. Don’t get me wrong you are fully entitled to your opinion, but you were meant to report on the show, I didn’t read the article to get a lecture about you didn’t find it necessary to stay for his set and take pictures of him because you don’t like him.
I actually wasn’t meant to report on the show. I never orchestrated press passes to this, and I didn’t agree to cover this beforehand. I went to the show on my own time to see Jenny and ended up really close so I took some pictures.
August 11, 2009 at 2:52 pmJenny Lewis was in The Wizard, and may have been my first actress crush when I was 5. Therefore she can do anything she wants.
August 11, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Uh, is that the elusive urban sombrero he’s wearing? WOW.
July 7, 2009 at 12:53 pm