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. IndianaParkWars
    Jan 28, 2021
    0
    The Masterful Psychological Narrative of "Cassadaga" by Bright Eyes
    12/12 Masterpiece of an Album
    I discovered this album after watching Phoebe Bridgers' "What's in the Bag" video and hearing her talk about this album. I also previously discovered Bright Eyes through her. After hearing "Down in the Weeds" many times and listening to various live performances, I decided to listen to this    The Masterful Psychological Narrative of "Cassadaga" by Bright Eyes
    12/12 Masterpiece of an Album
    I discovered this album after watching Phoebe Bridgers' "What's in the Bag" video and hearing her talk about this album. I also previously discovered Bright Eyes through her. After hearing "Down in the Weeds" many times and listening to various live performances, I decided to listen to this album. My initial listen was similar to that of "Punisher" or "Down in the Weeds", where I felt kind of indifferent but the more I listened, the more I exponentially adored the album. As of now, I think I've listened to this album 10–15 times.
    It is a fantastic album that strangely blends different styles, which is why I think I adore it so much. It's mostly alternative rock/indie rock, but seems to blend alternative country and folks and incorporates symphonic and experimental elements.
    Bangers: "Clairaudients", "Four Winds", "If the Brakeman Turns My Way", "Hot Knives", "Make a Plan to Love Me", "Soul Singer in a Session Band", "Classic Cars", "Middleman", "Cleanse Song", "No One Would Riot For Less", "Coat Check Dream Song", "I Must Belong Somewhere"
    Yes. Every track is a banger.    … Expand
  2. Steve
    Feb 11, 2008
    9
    This is an outstanding album. I hadn't heard much Bright Eyes before I got this album, so it's not to say that I am giving it a high score just because I love the members of the band. Most people seem to tout "Four Winds" as the headlining song on this album and though it is good, it pales in comparison to "If the Brakeman Turns my Way," "Cleanse Song," or "Middleman." "Four This is an outstanding album. I hadn't heard much Bright Eyes before I got this album, so it's not to say that I am giving it a high score just because I love the members of the band. Most people seem to tout "Four Winds" as the headlining song on this album and though it is good, it pales in comparison to "If the Brakeman Turns my Way," "Cleanse Song," or "Middleman." "Four Winds" is the song that appeals to the largest group of people, which explains its long stretch of playtime on the radio. As most know, the vast majority of what is played on the radio is complete crap.… Expand
  3. darrylf
    Jul 28, 2007
    10
    best album of this year so far
  4. jw
    Jul 20, 2007
    8
    (8.5) Coat Check Dream Song, I Must Belong Somewhere, Four Winds, and Hot Knives are the highlights. I bought the Four Winds single first, and I think in some ways that collection is stronger (overall) than what he left on the full album. Cartoon Blues and Reinvent The Wheel are especially good, I think. Take the six songs from that single, add Coat Check, Must Belong, Knives, and maybe (8.5) Coat Check Dream Song, I Must Belong Somewhere, Four Winds, and Hot Knives are the highlights. I bought the Four Winds single first, and I think in some ways that collection is stronger (overall) than what he left on the full album. Cartoon Blues and Reinvent The Wheel are especially good, I think. Take the six songs from that single, add Coat Check, Must Belong, Knives, and maybe Soul Singer... and you've got something REALLY special. With the lineup as is, Cassadaga is still a solid 8 or 9.… Expand
  5. AndrewA
    Jul 11, 2007
    6
    You can get some great singles out of here, but the whole thing is too much.
  6. CraigR.
    Jun 24, 2007
    7
    A good if slightly underwhelming attempt. Lacks the subtlety of "I'm Wide awake it's morning" and the bite of "Digital Ash..." - definately a step down in quality this time around.
  7. AndrewM.
    May 29, 2007
    6
    People who gave this album a 10 should probably get out more, I love Bright Eyes too but this album is quite bland, don't love it because you love Connor, it will be doing him a disservice... anyways, the best part about this record is the packaging and even that got old quick.
  8. DeboA
    May 15, 2007
    10
    This is definately one of the best albums I've heard yet (this year)! Mr. Oberst is a genius and I can only hope he conitnues to make Gr8 musick 4 us - who can appreciate good musick - to enjoy! Cassadaga Baffles!
  9. 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
  10. AlexandraT
    May 13, 2007
    10
    Wonderful. Reminds me of The Verve at their best.
  11. littledutchboy
    May 13, 2007
    8
    By far, Bright Eyes' most accessible album to date. Less emotional intensity and less freaky, it's as close to a conventional folkpop record Oberst has ever gotten. This is both good and bad. Previous records were more intense and personal, both demanded quite a lot of the listener:it was hard to let Lifted... simply play in the background. This one is more easy-listening, more By far, Bright Eyes' most accessible album to date. Less emotional intensity and less freaky, it's as close to a conventional folkpop record Oberst has ever gotten. This is both good and bad. Previous records were more intense and personal, both demanded quite a lot of the listener:it was hard to let Lifted... simply play in the background. This one is more easy-listening, more Ryan Adams-like almost. Still a great listen, but not so urgent as his previous work.… Expand
  12. KathyS
    May 12, 2007
    8
    In Cassadaga, I was a bit disappointed by how much the lyrics dictated the music, as the Stylus review points out, but that is what Bright Eyes is about. The lyrics are what haunt me at night. They are acts of pure genius, especially those of Cleanse Song and I Must Belong Somewhere.
  13. 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 .
  14. [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.
  15. HerbJ
    May 8, 2007
    8
    I am not an over the top fan of bright eyes but I thought this album was pretty good...a bit clean sounding and some of the songs sound the same...but some of you forget its not always how they sound on a CD but the music they are playing in real life and all the people in this band are great performers
  16. AlexW
    May 8, 2007
    4
    It meanders without purpose. It really does drift in comparison with his better stuff.
  17. mikes.
    May 8, 2007
    4
    a bad album from bright eyes. Bright eyes hasn't released anything good since fevers... and lifted days... These new albums seem to lack the emotional impact of those other releases.
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. 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.
  21. 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.
  22. xxhopingtearsxx
    Apr 29, 2007
    1
    This album was dull, and most songs had the same rhythm over and over.
  23. voodoocookie
    Apr 22, 2007
    10
    I think what people have to understand is you can't continue to compare any of the 'new' materials with the old ones from the Fevers and Mirrors / Lifted days... I think people have to come to realise that Bright Eyes have grown up and evovled, there has to be an obvious change in content and style. I think this albums offer some of the most poetic lyrics I have seen from I think what people have to understand is you can't continue to compare any of the 'new' materials with the old ones from the Fevers and Mirrors / Lifted days... I think people have to come to realise that Bright Eyes have grown up and evovled, there has to be an obvious change in content and style. I think this albums offer some of the most poetic lyrics I have seen from Conor and surprised me by how brilliant overall it is. I wasn't too sure with the EP but this album is awesome!… Expand
  24. LarryH
    Apr 21, 2007
    9
    This is a surprisingly good album. Probably his best singing and instrumental arrangements to date. Emotionally restrained compared to his other albums, which I think is both a positive and a negative. The album is very focused and professional, but I kind of miss the catharsis that was on Fevers and Mirrors. But I guess you can't live in angst forever. This album is right up there This is a surprisingly good album. Probably his best singing and instrumental arrangements to date. Emotionally restrained compared to his other albums, which I think is both a positive and a negative. The album is very focused and professional, but I kind of miss the catharsis that was on Fevers and Mirrors. But I guess you can't live in angst forever. This album is right up there with Fevers and Mirrors and I'm Wide Awake as my favorite.… Expand
  25. stefanies
    Apr 20, 2007
    10
    amazing. oberst & company show musical depth, maturity on this lovely album. much fuller, more produced than previous bright eyes efforts, the extra time spent making Cassadaga pays off big time.
  26. Cables
    Apr 20, 2007
    6
    This album is strikingly inconsistent in comparison to I'm Wide Awake.
  27. CarsonW
    Apr 19, 2007
    9
    Same great Bright Eyes. Pitchfork is loosing its credability with its shotty review. Pitchfork doesn't know politics.
  28. PaulJ
    Apr 17, 2007
    9
    At first I was a bit skeptical, but upon repeated listening, I've come to love this album. I still think its a little uneven, but I can overlook that easily when the songs that do work, do it so spectacularly. Classic Cars, Hot Knives, I Must Belong Somewhere, and 1 or 2 others are on par with his best work so far.
  29. AlekM
    Apr 16, 2007
    7
    Disappointing at first (excluding Four Winds). Really hits its stride around Classic Cars, and from there on out it is nothing short of magical. A solid Bright Eyes CD. Soul Singer in a Session Band translates far better live.
  30. 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.
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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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