Saddle Creek also released Letting Off the Happiness in November 1998, a ten-track record that boasted a much more focused and clear sound than the previous album. According to the Saddle Creek press release, it features members of Lullaby for the Working Class, Neutral Milk Hotel, and Of Montreal. It was predominantly recorded in the Oberst family basement in Omaha on an analog eight track reel to reel; with some work also done at keyboardist Andy Lemaster's Athens, GA studio. Although almost all of the tracks feature a full band, June on the West Coast is performed with only acoustic guitar and vocals. Padraic My Prince gives a dramatic fictional account of the death of Oberst's imagined baby brother.
In 2000 Bright Eyes released Fevers and Mirrors, a demonstration of the immense improvement in production quality and musical vision of the band. New instruments such as flute, piano, and accordion were introduced into the song arrangements. After An Attempt to Tip the Scales, a mock radio interview takes place. The mock radio interview features Todd Fink of The Faint doing an impression of Conor Oberst while reading a script that Oberst wrote. The man interviewing is Matt Silcock, a former member of Lullaby for the Working Class. In this interview, the fake Oberst intentionally presents a strange, contradictory explanation of his attitude towards his music. The interview acknowledges criticisms of his lyrics as overblown and insincere, which had begun to appear as the popularity of the band increased, but responds by stating that the lyrics are meant for personal interpretation. In a 'real' interview with KittyMagik.com, Oberst stated about the mock one: "It was a way to make fun of ourselves because the record is such a downer. I mean, that's one part of who I am, but I also like laughing and fucking around."
2002 saw the release of Lifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground, and since then Oberst has released an almost constant stream of new material on collaborative EPs, split singles, tribute albums, and charity records. He ventured into the studio with Nebraska folk-pop outfit Tilly And The Wall, co-producing their debut album Wild Like Children and released it on his newly established record label, Team Love.
January 2005 saw the release of two albums: I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning, which is a country-tinged mélange of Conor’s finest acoustic songs, featuring guest vocal appearances from Emmylou Harris and Jim James of My Morning Jacket; and Digital Ash In A Digital Urn, which is a more produced, electronic album featuring cameo appearances by Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
One single from each album, Take It Easy (Love Nothing) from Digital Ash and Lua from I'm Wide Awake took the top two slots on Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart, the first time for any artist since 1997.
As had become expected of Bright Eyes recordings, the albums feature an array of talented comrades including members of Rilo Kiley, Tilly And The Wall, Cursive, Now Its Overhead, The Good Life, Azure Ray, The Faint, The Bruces, Neva Dinova, The Postal Service and Audrye Sessions.
In October 2006, Bright Eyes released a compilation of rare tracks called Noise Floor: Rarities 1998-2005.
Bright Eyes released their sixth studio album called Cassadaga on April 9, 2007, preceded by an EP entitled Four Winds on March 6, 2007.
A further 25-30 tracks have been recorded in Portland, Oregon and New York City, with another session planned in Omaha, Nebraska. Some of these tracks had already been performed at live shows.
On February 15, 2011, the band released their seventh studio album, The People's Key.
On June 22, 2020, they released Down In The Weeds Where The World Once Was, their first album on Dead Oceans after a long history with Saddle Creek.
Theme From Piñata
Bright Eyes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cause I'm falling mad for you
I can see the ground approaching now
But I'm not sure what to do
I feel like the pinata
Once you take a swing at me
If you could just crack the shell open
I think inside you would find something sweet
Your footsteps in the leaves
And I would gladly leave my hiding place
Yes I'm hoping to be seen
So let your arrow fly and sing
I'm well within your aim
Lay your traps for a thousand miles
And please don't let me escape
Winter came to Omaha
It left us looking like a bride
A million perfect snowflakes now
And no two are alike
So it's hard for me imagining
The flaws in this design
I know debris, it covers everything
And still I am in love with this life
The lyrics of "Theme From Pinata" by Bright Eyes convey a sense of vulnerability and uncertainty in love. The singer wishes for a parachute as they feel themselves falling madly in love with someone. They are unsure of how to handle their feelings and are worried about being hurt, like the pinata waiting to be cracked open. However, they are willing to take a risk and reveal themselves to the person, hoping to be seen and loved in return. The imagery of a hunter and prey is also introduced, with the singer willing to be caught and captured by the person they love. The winter scenery in Omaha serves as a metaphor for the imperfections in love and relationships, but despite the chaos and mess, the singer still finds themselves in love with life.
Overall, the lyrics of "Theme From Pinata" explore the fragility and beauty of love, as well as the risks we take when we open ourselves up to it. The imagery of the pinata, hunter, and snowflakes all evoke a sense of vulnerability and uncertainty, but also the possibility of something sweet and beautiful if we take a chance.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I wish I had a parachute
I wish I had a way out from falling in love with you
Cause I'm falling mad for you
I'm falling uncontrollably in love with you
I can see the ground approaching now
I can see the potential end of this love coming
But I'm not sure what to do
But I'm unsure of how to handle it
I feel like the pinata
I feel like an object being hit and broken apart
Once you take a swing at me
Once you reveal your true feelings and intentions
If you could just crack the shell open
If you could just see past my exterior
I think inside you would find something sweet
You would find something good and worthwhile about me
Well I hear you're like a hunter now
I hear you're pursuing your desires like a predator
Your footsteps in the leaves
Your actions are leaving behind clues of your intentions
And I would gladly leave my hiding place
I would be willing to expose myself to you
Yes I'm hoping to be seen
I'm hoping for you to notice me
So let your arrow fly and sing
Take your best shot and make your move
I'm well within your aim
I'm easily reachable and accessible for you
Lay your traps for a thousand miles
Use any means necessary to capture my heart
And please don't let me escape
And don't let me slip away from your grasp
Winter came to Omaha
The winter season arrived in Omaha
It left us looking like a bride
It left the surroundings looking pure and untouched
A million perfect snowflakes now
Countless number of flawless snowflakes are present
And no two are alike
Each snowflake is unique and original
So it's hard for me imagining
It's difficult for me to picture
The flaws in this design
Any shortcomings or issues with this perfect setting
I know debris, it covers everything
I'm aware that imperfections and messiness exists everywhere
And still I am in love with this life
Yet still, I am in love with this reality
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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