Conor Oberst And The Mystic Valley Band — Outer South

What on earth prompted Conor Oberst to try and reinvent himself as a jam band musician? Last year's Conor Oberst wasn't a very effective demonstration of his new identity, and Outer South is even less so. While it's true Oberst's music has been all over the spectrum throughout his career, Outer South just makes him look absolutely ridiculous.

It begins with "Slowly (Oh So Slowly)" and "To All The Lights In The Windows," two strong tracks that kick the album off in style with '70s-era jams and Bob Dylan-esque organ. But from there it descends into absolute mediocrity.

Outer South features vocal contributions from Oberst's bandmates, and the results are mixed at best. The Taylor Hollingsworth-penned "Air Mattress" is an absolutely terrible track with ridiculous keyboard parts that make it sound like it belongs on a top 40 radio station. Jason Boesel's "Difference Is Time" is the album's best track, but Boesel's second contribution, "Eagle On A Pole," is mid-level. Hollingsworth's nasal vocals make it very difficult to get through the closing "Snake Hill."

Oberst seems to have acquired a case of prolificity without the ability to edit, which is what Ryan Adams has been criticized for. This disc is way too long and might have been better if it had been cut by five tracks. Oberst needs to stop wanking around.

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