Digital Ash In A Digital Urn
by Bright Eyes
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 86 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 71 out of 86
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 86
  3. Negative: 9 out of 86

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  1. Evan
    Feb 4, 2005
    9
    Conor Was trying something new. It was risky but it's great i really enjoyed it and it was a nice change.
  2. giulia
    Feb 7, 2005
    8
    it has got really great moment, but the screaming of the baby was a bit to much
  3. ScottH
    Apr 2, 2005
    0
    This album is so forgettable, the music rubbish, and his words are borderline retarded. I can't believe their saying he's the voice of the new generation. I've tried and tried to like this but it just got more annoying as it went along. The fact that it's getting such a great review on user comments shows us that they know less then actual critics ( who I've This album is so forgettable, the music rubbish, and his words are borderline retarded. I can't believe their saying he's the voice of the new generation. I've tried and tried to like this but it just got more annoying as it went along. The fact that it's getting such a great review on user comments shows us that they know less then actual critics ( who I've always hated ).… Expand
  4. TimS
    Apr 21, 2007
    9
    Almost perfect. There are some weak tracks, but so many great ones. My favorite Bright Eyes album to date.
  5. thewieve
    Jan 22, 2005
    10
    his best work yet, i like every song (with the exeption of maybe the first one). Don't listen to the bad reviews, it's seriously so good.
  6. WilliamG
    Jan 25, 2005
    10
    In general I agree with the scores on metacritic, but for some reason this one is way off. Perhaps eventually people will realize the greatness of this CD. So soulful, so nostalgic, so poetic. Go out and buy this CD, it's their best record yet.
  7. stompied
    Feb 27, 2005
    7
    this is an ambitious, pretentious mess and, I must admit, a guilty pleasure. yes, he rips off some melodies (99 balloons) and some of the lyrics are silly, but I admire his attempt to do something different and I like quite a few of the songs as pop songs, esp. easy / lucky / free. as he tones down his adenoidal whining, his music continues to improve. if he keeps cutting back on his this is an ambitious, pretentious mess and, I must admit, a guilty pleasure. yes, he rips off some melodies (99 balloons) and some of the lyrics are silly, but I admire his attempt to do something different and I like quite a few of the songs as pop songs, esp. easy / lucky / free. as he tones down his adenoidal whining, his music continues to improve. if he keeps cutting back on his lyrical excesses and hones the originality of his music, we might have one of the next great talents.… Expand
  8. MachuzzlewitSweedlepipe
    Feb 7, 2005
    9
    I'm astonished how low the metascore of this is, If anything it's better than "I'm Wide Awake..." although they are both stunning. It doesn't sound half as experimental as the reviews would have you believe. This is no Kid A. Since when has experimenting been bad anyway? These are sensitively, passionately produced, amazing songs; don't miss out on them because of I'm astonished how low the metascore of this is, If anything it's better than "I'm Wide Awake..." although they are both stunning. It doesn't sound half as experimental as the reviews would have you believe. This is no Kid A. Since when has experimenting been bad anyway? These are sensitively, passionately produced, amazing songs; don't miss out on them because of some backward thinking reviewers.… Expand
  9. EdwardE
    Mar 2, 2005
    8
    Oberst should always make music like this. His voice is less tremulous & the music experimental & exciting. I prefer this release over 'I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning' & much more than 'Lifted.'
  10. Phil
    Apr 29, 2005
    0
    Ralph again.
  11. DavidM
    Sep 2, 2005
    2
    Wow. I really love parts of Wide Awake...but this is just god awful. Devin couldn't have things more completely backwards, Oberst trying to venture into Radiohead territory where he absolutely, positively does not belong. A sense of musical confusion and mismatched ideas permeates the whole thing. It's okay, Connor, every artist has weakness. Now that you've found yours, Wow. I really love parts of Wide Awake...but this is just god awful. Devin couldn't have things more completely backwards, Oberst trying to venture into Radiohead territory where he absolutely, positively does not belong. A sense of musical confusion and mismatched ideas permeates the whole thing. It's okay, Connor, every artist has weakness. Now that you've found yours, stick to country and Dylanesque folk and you'll be fine.… Expand
  12. LFirebrand
    Jan 22, 2005
    9
    At times, this album hearkens back to Oberst's previous experimentation with skewed melody and synths. There are some very very very high points on this album, but some weak ones too. This one is darker than the hopeful "I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning".
  13. RyanM.
    Jan 23, 2005
    9
    Unbelievable. It's a revelation for a guy who's made what I believe to be a string to dumb albums..."Digital Ash" is unquestionaboly the better between it and the "I'm Wide Awake" disc.
  14. Yamiltheman
    Jan 23, 2005
    10
    Yea I totally agree with the wieve.. This album has Conor going outside of the barriers that everyone has put for him and venturing into some far away land of other worldly musicianship. This album is versatile ranging from the 80s reminiscent songs like "Gold Mine Gutted" to the Radiohead-ish "Down a Rabbit Hole". Dont believe the lack of hype.. This album is amazing
  15. Bologna
    Jan 23, 2005
    9
    I may be one of the only people to say this, but this album is better than Wide Awake, though only slightly.
  16. Jon
    Jan 24, 2005
    5
    Easily Conor Oberst's worst album, and that includes that incredibly mediocre Desapreciendos. While the cd does have one excellent song (Take it Easy), the rest of the album is just boring and uninspired. Luckily I'm Wide Awake is amazing enough to make up for this gaffe.
  17. stevel
    Jan 24, 2005
    10
    I put this album on and for the next 50 mins or so i was quite sure i held my breath in amazement. Absolutely mind-blowing and i'm so pleased i chanced upon it.This is up there with the best of all time....sheer perfection....
  18. victorh
    Jan 24, 2005
    8
    not as apparently beautiful as wide awake with its melodies but contains several songs of equal sentiment and sincerity
  19. DanO
    Feb 11, 2005
    9
    i thought this one was just as good as "i'm wide awake" and all of my bright eyes bashing friends even love it. it's just very catchy and well written. there are a few lyrics that i really cant stand, but that doesnt lower my score at all. ...i still dont believe it's scoring so low on here...
  20. VenP
    Feb 11, 2005
    10
    My Dad died just over two weeks ago. I bought digital ash on the day I collected his ashes. This album has helped me and affected me deeply. Rhythmically it is pretty interesting too. Reviewers know nothing.
  21. KeithR
    Feb 14, 2005
    9
    Man, I'm absolutely speechless at the less-than-stellar reviews this record is getting. "Wide Awake" is tired, warmed-over alt country, with lazy production and a bunch of songs that Oberst has recorded or played in various incarnations for years. I heard most of the songs 2 years ago at a show in NYC. Digital Ash, however, has come out of left field and completely blown me away. I Man, I'm absolutely speechless at the less-than-stellar reviews this record is getting. "Wide Awake" is tired, warmed-over alt country, with lazy production and a bunch of songs that Oberst has recorded or played in various incarnations for years. I heard most of the songs 2 years ago at a show in NYC. Digital Ash, however, has come out of left field and completely blown me away. I had to doublecheck the cover and make sure I wasn't listening to a lost New Order album from the 80's, and that's a compliment. I've always felt that, while a genuinely talented songwriter, Oberst's tunes were somehow let down by the standard acoustic guitar / bass / drums, etc. that he's used on every album. Well, I guess KID A probably confused the hell out of people and got bad reviews when it first came out. Really, Digital Ash is a dense record, and doesn't immeditely reveal itself. Having listened to it several times, though, it has gelled and become a minor masterpiece. I think the Postal Service comparisons are limiting... this album is darker, more sonically dense, and more pained. I'd call it Oberst's Downward Spiral. Critics be shamed.… Expand
  22. TimM
    Feb 2, 2005
    7
    "I'm wide awake" is much better. I feel this album is a back track for Oberst. The experimentations with a band don't sound authentic.
  23. robm
    Feb 21, 2005
    10
    a grower. not as instantly likeable as 'i'm wide awake...', but an intricate and original album of challanging and compelling music.
  24. MichaelK
    Feb 28, 2005
    7
    I'd probably rate this closer to a 7.5. Am I the only person out there who actually likes Digital Ash *more* than Wide Awake? There's some filler on each album, for sure, but I think both are pretty solid and find myself wanting to listen to Digital Ash more than its folksier freind.
  25. PatrickI
    Apr 14, 2005
    8
    "The debris of opener "Time Code" sets the tone; digital garnishment works for Wilco, but not so much for the beat-impaired Oberst ("Arc of Time")" - Austin Chronicle I pray to Jesus that this guy never stumbles accross an Aphex Twin album. Critics blow.
  26. MikeA
    May 6, 2005
    9
    Great melodies, electronically-enhanced with taste. Would've been nice to hear this one stripped down like I'm Wide Awake, but still a great record. Bright Eyes has definitely made an impact this year...
  27. NelsonD
    Jun 14, 2005
    4
    First of all im not a bright eyes hater. I liked his other three albums but these two (digital and wide awake) are just dumb. His lirics have lost the imagery from the last album and after fulfilling in my opinion his greatets (though not completly) mature work on lifted, he has to fall back on adolascense themes that in my opinion, seem fake, or at least unfocused and not expressed to First of all im not a bright eyes hater. I liked his other three albums but these two (digital and wide awake) are just dumb. His lirics have lost the imagery from the last album and after fulfilling in my opinion his greatets (though not completly) mature work on lifted, he has to fall back on adolascense themes that in my opinion, seem fake, or at least unfocused and not expressed to their deepest potential. In many ways this album is a lot worse than his last, but it gets bonus points for the music. If all of Digital was instrumental, it might have gotten a 6 or 7, but with his unispired, critic pleasin warbled lyrics, im guessing he aint getting there. Nice try Bright Eyes, maybe next time you'll actually truly express yourself in artistic fashion, not on whatever pops your mind.… Expand
  28. gmish
    Jun 28, 2005
    10
    I recently bought Wide Awake and was reluctant to open up to Digital Ash because of how unbelivable this album was. But after a few listens I found that A. Bright Eyes is the greatest band ever to exist B. Digital Ash is the best CD ever to exist
  29. Devin
    Jun 5, 2005
    10
    What Radiohead could be if they weren't so self-conscious and serious.
  30. russc
    Jul 18, 2005
    10
    Though there are certainly some songs that could have been omitted, digital ash is a huge step foward for conner.
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Awards & Rankings

66
#66 Most Discussed Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 28
  3. Negative: 3 out of 28
  1. Alternative Press
    100
    Riskier but not totally out of character; it's the more holistic right brain to Wide Awake's rational left brain. [Feb 2005, p.81]
  2. Q Magazine
    40
    Experimental and confusing... Oberst's voice struggles to hit home through the effects. [Jan 2005, p.129]
  3. Drowned In Sound
    70
    This is not a classic – each high is paired with a low of similar scale, so whilst ‘Down In A Rabbit Hole’ scales heights previously thought unreachable, ‘Ship In A Bottle’, with baby samples screeching over the top of the most base-level beats, is plain annoying.
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