Cassadaga
by Bright Eyes
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 116 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 88 out of 116
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 116
  3. Negative: 10 out of 116

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  1. AndrewB
    Apr 2, 2007
    10
    This is another great album in what is going to wind up being one of the greatest careers that the music industry has ever seen. Conor Oberst's continuing evolution is exciting and Bright Eyes' latest album is yet another landmark in their stellar collection. A mix between Fevers & Mirrors and I'm Wide Awake It's Morning - Cassadaga provides something loud (Four This is another great album in what is going to wind up being one of the greatest careers that the music industry has ever seen. Conor Oberst's continuing evolution is exciting and Bright Eyes' latest album is yet another landmark in their stellar collection. A mix between Fevers & Mirrors and I'm Wide Awake It's Morning - Cassadaga provides something loud (Four Winds), something folksy (I Must Belong Somewhere), something majestic (No One Would Riot for Less), and many Dylanesque rock tunes. This album thrusts Oberst's Midwest roots into the forefront on many tracks and does it well. An all around terrific album from some terrific young talent.… Expand
  2. Cables
    Apr 20, 2007
    6
    This album is strikingly inconsistent in comparison to I'm Wide Awake.
  3. ParkerT
    Apr 13, 2007
    8
    I remember when I first heard "letting off the happiness" and I loved it! I have loved every album since... you can see the slow change of Conor going into the folk direction throughout his discography, finally going all the way with "I'm wide awake, It's morning". Cassadaga continues with the country/folk feel that the Bright Eyes tem have so easily taken a hold of, but the I remember when I first heard "letting off the happiness" and I loved it! I have loved every album since... you can see the slow change of Conor going into the folk direction throughout his discography, finally going all the way with "I'm wide awake, It's morning". Cassadaga continues with the country/folk feel that the Bright Eyes tem have so easily taken a hold of, but the instumentation brings me back to "The Story In The Soil". The sound is so full and perfect like a country music orgy. Give a listen with the headphones and you will see what I mean. Buy it in concrete form because the packaging is something else.… Expand
  4. JonnyV
    Apr 10, 2007
    9
    This album is an evolution that has retained the purity of what made Bright Eyes great. It is the fullest album he has recorded and the string arrangements combined with the folk/modern rock sound gives it a unique flavor. It is much better than I expected.
  5. xxhopingtearsxx
    Apr 29, 2007
    1
    This album was dull, and most songs had the same rhythm over and over.
  6. Markc.
    May 11, 2007
    10
    yeah the sound is grea ton this album , and I ike how he sings about how things should belong where they're , I'm over the slow emotional songs on past albums and I'm sure conor is too . Hes enjoying life and what this land has to offer by traveling it .
  7. DaveH
    May 5, 2007
    8
    Oberst's newfound singing ability seems to take away some of the edge of previous albums, but the emotion is still visible. A wonderful album all around, with new Oberst vocals but the same great Bright Eyes music.
  8. JeashC
    Mar 28, 2007
    10
    one of the most amazing albums i've heard in a long time.
  9. TJWells
    Mar 28, 2007
    10
    Beautiful. Probably his best work to date.
  10. MikeS.
    Mar 30, 2007
    10
    Amazing album!!
  11. NickH
    Apr 1, 2007
    9
    To really listen to this album, you have to first accept the fact that conor has found peace with himself and with the world. Then you will see that the songs, are good, sometimes great. Not his masterpiece, but a great album.
  12. LadyB.
    Apr 10, 2007
    8
    Mmm ya, Bright Eyes are gooooooooood.
  13. michim
    Apr 10, 2007
    4
    Disappointing, compared to previous albums. It's not bad, but it trades in the whole orchestra-idea for the immediacy of Bright Eyes earlier work, which is a bad deal in my oppinion.
  14. leok
    Apr 14, 2007
    5
    The album is not bad. And still, I can't get in it, yet and the previous albums make it look rather bad.
  15. Laura
    Apr 16, 2007
    9
    Bright Eyes: Always bringing something new to the table. Cassadaga is, like all of Oberst's albums before it, different to everything else he's ever done. And it's GOOD. Classic Cars, especially, is a mighty fine song. Buy it, listen to it and - if you have a heart - love it.
  16. stans
    Apr 2, 2007
    10
    Their best yet!
  17. LarissaP
    Apr 3, 2007
    5
    How boring.
  18. MurlesB
    Apr 30, 2007
    10
    If you don't like this or any of his other albums for that matter, stop listening to music, you deserve to be def.
  19. AaronS.
    Apr 5, 2007
    10
    A beautiful, haunting record. If not the best album I'll listen to this year, then surely on the short list of the very great records of 2007.
  20. [Anonymous]
    May 10, 2007
    5
    Oh Bright Eyes I am sad to say this is just a very mediocre album. It lacks all the emotion and standout lyrical moments that made past releases so great. Reminds me a bit of digital ash in terms of the feel of the record, very polished and bland.
  21. KeithB
    May 14, 2007
    3
    Completely flat and often boring, this album fails to back up its indulgent, pretentious lyrics with anything musically substantial. Conor Oberst seems to be self-righteously criticizing self-righteousness with the lyrics on this album. Upon first listen, I found myself wincing and scratching my head whenever I wasn't yawning. Such a shame, since his previous albums contained much Completely flat and often boring, this album fails to back up its indulgent, pretentious lyrics with anything musically substantial. Conor Oberst seems to be self-righteously criticizing self-righteousness with the lyrics on this album. Upon first listen, I found myself wincing and scratching my head whenever I wasn't yawning. Such a shame, since his previous albums contained much more meat and ambition.… Expand
  22. Andy
    May 2, 2007
    5
    This album is such a disappointment compared to his previous albums. Formulaic and routine. It's time to stop emulating Dylan please.
  23. KyleV
    May 6, 2007
    8
    It's elitists like Murles B that are almost ruining music. You clearly know nothing about it. Please never comment on anything ever again until you lose your ignorance. Thank you. Overall good album, two thumbs up.
  24. AlexW
    May 8, 2007
    4
    It meanders without purpose. It really does drift in comparison with his better stuff.
  25. JoshB.
    Mar 28, 2007
    10
    I didn't think he could top I'm Wide Awake It's Morning, but he sure did. This album is absolutely amazing!
  26. codyg
    Mar 29, 2007
    10
    stunning
  27. zackk
    Apr 11, 2007
    10
    this album is amazing. in the last year ive become a huge bright eyes fan and fell for his raw, very emotional style of music and while this new album is change from conor's usual self deprecating style, its a musical step in the right direction. the songs sound so full and vibrant with great melodies. my favorites right now are four winds, if the brakeman turns my way, soul singer this album is amazing. in the last year ive become a huge bright eyes fan and fell for his raw, very emotional style of music and while this new album is change from conor's usual self deprecating style, its a musical step in the right direction. the songs sound so full and vibrant with great melodies. my favorites right now are four winds, if the brakeman turns my way, soul singer in a session band, middleman, cleanse song, i must belong somewhere, and lime tree. conor seems to be maturing his sound and its really shows on this album.… Expand
  28. warrens
    Apr 10, 2007
    10
    the boy(man) is a genius. not a weak song in sight and several up with his best, notably 'No One Would Riot' 'Brakeman' 'Lime Tree' - now i try to make a list i want to include every track.
  29. MarciaL
    Apr 11, 2007
    6
    I expected more....
  30. MattD.
    Apr 11, 2007
    5
    The first half of the album is actually better than most all of I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning, but the second half completely drowns in pretentiousness.
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Awards & Rankings

50
#50 Most Discussed Album of 2007
87
#87 Most Shared Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. Paste Magazine
    70
    As ambitious as this album is, there's a surprising lack of anguish on display. [Apr 2007, p.54]
  2. Spin
    80
    Oberst's countryish genre studies have deepened with a very adult loneliness. [Apr 2007, p.89]
  3. Los Angeles Times
    100
    The music doesn't always live up to the demands of the journey, but Oberst's trembling, vulnerable voice carries through to a rewarding conclusion.
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