album · August 13, 2002

Lifted or The Story is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground

Bright Eyes

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The third album from Conor Oberst’s Bright Eyes project, "Lifted or The Story is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground" represents a significant expansion of the project's sound, moving beyond its lo-fi roots into more ornate arrangements and ambitious song structures.

• The album was recorded at Austin's West End Sound and Omaha's Presto Studios with a larger ensemble of musicians, including members of Austin's rock scene.
• Featuring guest appearances from artists such as Califone and The Magnetic Fields' Stephin Merritt, the album showcases a more collaborative and sonically diverse approach than previous Bright Eyes releases.
• Despite its critical acclaim, the album did not chart on the Billboard 200.

Bright Eyes is the project of Conor Oberst, known for his prolific output and emotionally raw indie rock. In 2002, Oberst was consolidating his reputation as a leading voice in the contemporary folk-punk scene.