#298 (of 365) "A Perfect Sonnet" Bright Eyes

I kept a running tally of every one of my favorite songs, musical artists, and albums for each year starting in 1987. Originally on sheets of paper that eventually got lost forever, but transferred mostly intact onto a computer, I still, I think, have that list somewhere. I still have a songs list updated on my iTunes playlists every year--"Focus" by Velvet was 2024's song of the year, and I kept an albums list until recently, but the "best artist of the year" kind of disappeared at some point, possibly after the unending streak of Spencer Krug led bands dominating from 2005 to 2012. Also, life has become infinitely busier (and much better) since I moved to Hoboken in 2013, and sitting down and writing lists for myself has taken a backseat to, well, watching my favorite artists play live in Manhattan and Brooklyn, a quick PATH train away. But back in 2003 and 2004, a single band featuring singer-songwriter Conor Oberst was my favorite artist of the year for 2 years in a row, a feat never seen before in my charts, and I think, officially never seen since (as Spencer alternated artist of the year between Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown, and Moonface from 2005 to 2012). Bright Eyes was such an addictive pleasure back in my early 30s, the heart-on-the-sleeve emotional screams and shouts and catchy beats were on repeat for me for at least two years of my life. Just mad respect for Letting Off the Happiness and Fevers and Mirrors and the incomparable Lifted, or the Story is in the Soil. My interest began to falter with his double-album release in 2005, which had good--not great--songs and suffered from editing bloat. Then Conor seemed to lose interest in Bright Eyes itself, joining folk collectives and releasing solo albums, with future Bright Eyes records taking on similar folk/country sounds that I did not enjoy. I saw him live (as Conor Oberst, I think) many years later, in Philly, I assume before I moved to Hoboken because I can't imagine driving 2 hours to see him now, but I think the show--while great--reminded me that I was not really a fan of his music anymore. Twenty years after the peak, I don't really listen to Bright Eyes anymore. At one time, my 'all time favorite' song list would have included double digit Bright Eyes songs. But at this point in time, this is the only track of theirs to remain.

"A Perfect Sonnet" - Bright Eyes // Every Day and Every Night EP (2000)