I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
by Bright Eyes
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 214 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 177 out of 214
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 214
  3. Negative: 23 out of 214

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  1. auxnbus
    Jun 17, 2014
    10
    It never got better than this for Bright Eyes.. One of the greatest albums of recent times - and stands with the greats of all time.
    This album seems to perfectly capture a stage in anyone's life at any given time. From the soul-crushing despairs of heartbreak, to the most hopeful of hopes, to the sour distaste for political affairs.
    This is the type of album that touches one day you and    It never got better than this for Bright Eyes.. One of the greatest albums of recent times - and stands with the greats of all time.
    This album seems to perfectly capture a stage in anyone's life at any given time. From the soul-crushing despairs of heartbreak, to the most hopeful of hopes, to the sour distaste for political affairs.
    This is the type of album that touches one day you and sticks to you for the rest of your life.    … Expand
  2. jmarkfin
    Sep 18, 2013
    9
    An absolutely lovely album that is one of Oberst's best. It's definitely not for everyone, but for those whose tastes are attuned to this acoustic-folk sound, it's some of the highest quality stuff you can listen to.
  3. davenbettridge
    Nov 7, 2011
    10
    "I'm not sure what the trouble was that started all of this, the reasons all have run away but the feeling never did - It's not something I would recommend, but it is one way to live, cause what is simple in the moonlight, by the morning never is..." - Lua, Bright Eyes
  4. Vampire25
    Mar 1, 2011
    9
    I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning is Bright Eyes's best album. Every song sounds like a single. Conor Oberst's voice sounds youthfully self-absorbed and it all sounds great. The opener "At The Bottom Of Everything" really opens up the whole album and the beautiful "First Day Of My Life" really puts a smile on your face. And the ending track "Road To Joy" really ends the album off with a bang.I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning is Bright Eyes's best album. Every song sounds like a single. Conor Oberst's voice sounds youthfully self-absorbed and it all sounds great. The opener "At The Bottom Of Everything" really opens up the whole album and the beautiful "First Day Of My Life" really puts a smile on your face. And the ending track "Road To Joy" really ends the album off with a bang. All In All. I'm Wide Awake is a fantastic album. A-… Expand
  5. ChadB
    May 20, 2009
    10
    Amazing.
  6. TimA
    Aug 24, 2007
    10
    This album is bright eyes greatest masterpiece, the lyrics and melodies are all amazing. Conor's voice sounds at it's best on this record, and is beautifully complemented by the simple, but effective Instrumentation.
  7. JasonW
    Dec 19, 2006
    10
    Before i bought this album, i just thought of bright eyes as...mediocre at best. However, after purchashing this cd just out of curiosity, i have now become a bright eyes fanatic. two days after i bought this cd, i went out and bought digital ash in a digital urn, just because this cd didn't fill my appetite for conor's genius. i have been completely turned around in my opinion Before i bought this album, i just thought of bright eyes as...mediocre at best. However, after purchashing this cd just out of curiosity, i have now become a bright eyes fanatic. two days after i bought this cd, i went out and bought digital ash in a digital urn, just because this cd didn't fill my appetite for conor's genius. i have been completely turned around in my opinion on bright eyes and will absolutely add every cd that he makes to my ever expanding collection of amazing songs, no matter what the genre.… Expand
  8. Andy
    Aug 16, 2006
    9
    Its about time soneone got political. Another great effort from Conner, the lyrics will give you goosebumps.
  9. anna
    Jul 17, 2006
    10
    honest and true. oberst manages to surprise listeners on every track, while at times being blunt and at others, elusive. he transforms into a master story-teller and universalizes his lyrics without detaching a human element. from the intro to the final note on the last track a listener is captivated.
  10. ginnyt
    Jun 30, 2006
    10
    I was simply blown away. Like the first time I heard the Decemberists, or Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins. It's is VERY VERY rare to find a record that is worth listening to the ENTIRE way through. Beautifully done. This will be in heavy rotation for a long time...
  11. TheCriticTheCritic
    Jun 14, 2006
    9
    C'mon!!!! All of you who don't like this album don't like music. He has a great voice and is a great songwriter. What more could you want?
  12. ms
    Jun 5, 2006
    10
    A grand triumph in songwriting and a lush and sweeping musical achievment. I am convinced that amongst a few albums that today's Pop artist's, Hip Hop superstars, and fake rock (i.e. Hilary Duff, Lindsy Lohan, Ashlee Simpson) should listen to, this is at the top of the list. It is an incredibly insightful and heartbreaking testament to loneliness, honesty, love, and the A grand triumph in songwriting and a lush and sweeping musical achievment. I am convinced that amongst a few albums that today's Pop artist's, Hip Hop superstars, and fake rock (i.e. Hilary Duff, Lindsy Lohan, Ashlee Simpson) should listen to, this is at the top of the list. It is an incredibly insightful and heartbreaking testament to loneliness, honesty, love, and the evil's of our political world. If there were ever a time to name our new great song-writer of the decade, Conor takes it fair and square. His sorrowful and observational lyrics contain such emotion and power, accompanied by his quivering voice and his frail range. From broken-hearted anthems of the heart, to the anti-war songs this album has it all and it's been crafted with such ernesty and empathy that it is one of the most believable records I think I've heard in the last three years. So I say that every superstar in today's music listen to this, listen to the passion, the themes, the words, the structures, and then they should listen to themselves..because they will feel small and immature at how brave and dignifying this album is.… Expand
  13. hibb
    May 26, 2006
    7
    I think that this album has been argued to death. It's far from incredible, but much more tolerable than most of his other works. Some of the songs are solid, but the others aren't substatial enough. "First Day of my Life" stands on its own as a great song, but it gets lost in the raucous disoder that is "Road to Joy."
  14. PhilM
    Apr 28, 2006
    10
    Brilliant, I could listen to this all day
  15. LachlanW
    Apr 5, 2006
    10
    An incredible album. Probably Obhert's masterpiece.
  16. garibaldim
    Feb 6, 2006
    10
    To all y'all hataz: Yes. If you really wanted to, you could decide to dislike this album, and then, with persistence, convince yourself that that's always the way you would have felt. But there's simply nothing to really strongly dislike about this album, unless you're offended by the very existence of american popular music canon. Imagine, if you can, coming across To all y'all hataz: Yes. If you really wanted to, you could decide to dislike this album, and then, with persistence, convince yourself that that's always the way you would have felt. But there's simply nothing to really strongly dislike about this album, unless you're offended by the very existence of american popular music canon. Imagine, if you can, coming across this album on your own...nobody else knows about it. get there, try to arrive at a place before overdetermined cynicism, a place you once knew, perhaps. A place where the music you hear has not been inextricably engrafted onto 122 user comments, or an industry of knowing comparisons that came after it, things the music itself never tried to engender. Poor Wide Awake. The music made is now the belated guest at its own party, expectant, innocent, ignored. Go. Be the one to put your arm around this bright-eyed broomstick cowboy. Listen to him. He's saying: "why are there cupcakes all over the walls? They were for eating..." Tell him it's not his fault. Tell him you'll make some new cupcakes -- together. Sorry, I forget what I was talking about.… Expand
  17. JackD
    Jan 28, 2006
    8
    I did enjoy this album and I still do, specifically First Day of My Life. However, I do not feel this album warrants a perfect 10 by any means. He needs to work on the consistency of his music through out the entire record.
  18. alexy
    Jan 27, 2006
    10
    simply amazing - the music is superb, and the words are equally amazing. just by reading the lyrics, you can tell that conor oberst is a genius.
  19. cables
    Jan 18, 2006
    10
    I just dont understand the hatred some people have for this album. it's fantastic. I hate emo, but i love this album. Don't lump this poor guy into the emo category, he's anything but.
  20. Liz
    Jan 15, 2006
    10
    Personally, I thought this was the best cd i've ever owned and bought. When I first listened to it, Conor's voice had this distinctive sound, and it made me want to hear more. I also love how the music makes you forget everything and it captures you, making you want to go through it again. This is a work of art.
  21. JoeB
    Jan 3, 2006
    8
    This album is one of my personal favorites; I enjoy the rhythms and Oberst's vocals. He's certainly not the 'next Bob Dylan'--and to blame him for said label is not fair, nor reason to give a bad review. The lyrics are great, the instrumental is great. An all-around solid effort.
  22. JeffB
    Dec 25, 2005
    10
    Fucking fantastic.
  23. K.A.
    Nov 28, 2005
    7
    The quality of his lyrics is extremely varied--I personally think "Lua" is the best in that department--and the melodies are good but not amazing. I LOVE his voice though--he portrays that pathetic sadness so eloquently, though often out of sync with his lyrics; also, its sporadic range reminds me of Bjork (a definite plus). Maybe I only like it because I'm sick of rock--a good The quality of his lyrics is extremely varied--I personally think "Lua" is the best in that department--and the melodies are good but not amazing. I LOVE his voice though--he portrays that pathetic sadness so eloquently, though often out of sync with his lyrics; also, its sporadic range reminds me of Bjork (a definite plus). Maybe I only like it because I'm sick of rock--a good enough reason to give it a try.… Expand
  24. haileya
    Nov 21, 2005
    10
    This album is amazing. One of his best, other than digital ash. He's a phenomenal writer and the melodies in this album are to die for.
  25. JDrof
    Oct 22, 2005
    10
    It is amazing and not as emo as fevers and mirrors makes you feel his deppresion
  26. mattf
    Oct 11, 2005
    10
    this is one of the best albums i have ever owned. i will admit, it took me a good four listens to really appreciate it, but now, i swear, it has probably moved into my top five favorite albums of all-time. the lyrics on this cd are unmatched. He's not Dylan, granted, but he is a marvelous departure from the blythe repititous indie world.
  27. StevenW
    Aug 28, 2005
    8
    Connor Oberst is not half as brilliant as Sufjan Stevens and he sure isn't the new Bob Dylan, but that doesn't make this a bad record at all. It's very nice actually. This album has it's great moments, it's only a bit inconsistent and some songs may sound like 'more of the same'. The quality of the lyrics varies, Oberst's fragile sounding voice adds Connor Oberst is not half as brilliant as Sufjan Stevens and he sure isn't the new Bob Dylan, but that doesn't make this a bad record at all. It's very nice actually. This album has it's great moments, it's only a bit inconsistent and some songs may sound like 'more of the same'. The quality of the lyrics varies, Oberst's fragile sounding voice adds the emotion to the better lyrics on this album. The minimalistic arrangements and the loose chord strumming make it impossible to compare this album with for example Sufjan Steven's ILLINOIS, it's not a masterpiece full of new ideas. So don't expect him to be the new Bob Dylan, Oberst is just a young talented songwriter who probably will deliver us a some more great albums in the future.… Expand
  28. DavidM
    Aug 19, 2005
    7
    In a very strong year for emerging folk tinge talents - Andrew Bird, Sufjan Stevens, Decemberists...I actually think Oberst, while possibly the most prolific, is the least talented. What sets him apart from the others, however, and has garnered him bigger press, is the more direct/slightly more mainstream core to his sound. Some of the songs here are great (LUA, ANOTHER TRAVELING SONG), In a very strong year for emerging folk tinge talents - Andrew Bird, Sufjan Stevens, Decemberists...I actually think Oberst, while possibly the most prolific, is the least talented. What sets him apart from the others, however, and has garnered him bigger press, is the more direct/slightly more mainstream core to his sound. Some of the songs here are great (LUA, ANOTHER TRAVELING SONG), others near great and fun (AT THE BOTTOM OF EVERYTHING), but overall this is an inconsistent effort from a promising but still not mature artist.… Expand
  29. fayeA
    Aug 18, 2005
    10
    without a doubt one of the best if not the best albums this year. bright eyes lyrics have to be his best and his voice captivates me. cant say enough good things, and as far as him being anything like gc...plain stupidity.
  30. JimW
    Aug 5, 2005
    10
    Beautiful lyrics. Very thoughtfully done.
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Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Best Album of 2005
28
#28 Most Discussed Album of 2005
28
#28 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. Stylus Magazine
    100
    Bright Eyes may well be on the verge of finally bridging the gap between his precocious talent and the maturity of an ageless songwriter.
    Read full review
  2. AllMusic
    40
    Far from being the second coming of Dylan, Oberst is as precious as Paul Simon, but without any sense of rhyme or meter or gift for imagery, puking out lines filled with cheap metaphors and clumsy words that don't scan.
    Read full review
  3. The A.V. Club
    80
    A culmination of Bright Eyes' decade-long habit of reviving folk-rock conventions and social engagement for a generation raised on the celebratory egomania of rap and reality television.
    Read full review
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