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. EB
    Feb 3, 2005
    10
    Lovely.
  2. SueM
    Feb 15, 2005
    10
    I've never been much of a fan of country-style music, more into alternative rock, but Conor Oberst opened my ears and mind with "I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning". He is a storyteller and the emotion really comes through here.The more I listen, the more I love it!
  3. JimB
    Mar 9, 2005
    10
    the new dyan?...my friend he is much bettter than that!
  4. StuartY
    Jun 24, 2005
    10
    Best album of 2005 so far. Sheer joy, from the folksy strumming of the opener to the angry, ecstatic noise of the finisher. Let's hope that next time round they get proper mainstream recognition.
  5. 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.
  6. JDrof
    Oct 22, 2005
    10
    It is amazing and not as emo as fevers and mirrors makes you feel his deppresion
  7. TimB
    Jan 23, 2005
    10
    breathtaking
  8. CassiusClay
    Jan 25, 2005
    10
    Album of the year!
  9. RobertR
    Jan 30, 2005
    10
    I find it interesting that the critics at All Music Guide find Celine Dion a gifted Canadian artist, while refering to Oberst's work as simplistic and plodding.
  10. ChadV
    Jan 30, 2005
    10
    a honest, emotional, and brilliantly conveyed record. Bright Eyes carving out his legacy with each release.
  11. BrianK
    Feb 16, 2005
    10
    How refreshing to hear someone this thoughtful and risk taking. This is NOT pop music and not necessarily alt-country. If that's what you want beware. But it is the spirit of rock and roll in it's original rebellious spirit and raw rage that is becoming harder and harder to find these days. When I see comments like those from the All Music Guide it makes me smile and remember How refreshing to hear someone this thoughtful and risk taking. This is NOT pop music and not necessarily alt-country. If that's what you want beware. But it is the spirit of rock and roll in it's original rebellious spirit and raw rage that is becoming harder and harder to find these days. When I see comments like those from the All Music Guide it makes me smile and remember that not everyone though Dylan or Elvis were such hot shots either. I saw Bright Eyes on the Vote For Change tour not knowing who they were. I was expecting some reincarnation of some teenage garbage like Green Day or G&R and was pleasantly surprised as were several people I met between the REM and Springsteen sets.… Expand
  12. MichaelW
    Apr 25, 2005
    10
    Amazing album. Every song is fantastic. A classic that will be mentioned decades from now. Best album of the year already. Made me go out and download every single one of his albums
  13. GlennM
    May 29, 2005
    10
    This is probably one of the best albums i have ever heard. His lyrics and tunes are so amazing, and more deep than another other artist around right now. I cant belive some guy compared him to linking park?
  14. PhilM
    Apr 28, 2006
    10
    Brilliant, I could listen to this all day
  15. 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...
  16. 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
  17. LFirebrand
    Jan 22, 2005
    10
    Oberst at his best. Lyrically tight with no awkward turns of phrase, the emotions are lucid but more reigned in than on previous Bright Eyes records. The only miscalculation is the re-worked "Landlocked Blues," previously recorded as the superior "One Foot in Front of the Other."
  18. TMoney
    Jan 25, 2005
    10
    simply amazing. his most beautiful work yet. (except for maybe fevers and mirrors).
  19. JoshB
    Jan 28, 2005
    10
    This is the best thing Conor's ever released. It is a masterpiece and will most definitely stand the test of time. The lyrics are amazing and the simple, beautiful sound will mesmerize you.
  20. JacobC
    Feb 12, 2005
    10
    Every moment of this album is perfect.
  21. justinb
    Feb 18, 2005
    10
    classic cd
  22. brendanh
    Feb 21, 2005
    10
    awesome
  23. KayleighH
    Feb 25, 2005
    10
    Amazing, really. He has a mood everyone can relate to in everysong. I truely think its their best yet.
  24. matts
    Feb 8, 2005
    10
    one of the best lyrically written albums i've heard in a long time, Oberst has echoed the voice of a nation
  25. GrantW
    Mar 21, 2005
    10
    I can't believe how much he has improved since his first almost boring first album.
  26. SteveY
    Mar 7, 2005
    10
    One of the best albums I've ever heard. A beautiful collection of tracks that flow seemlessly. Truly a classic album that will be talked about for years to come. The start of what Conor Oberst truly has in him.
  27. James
    Apr 14, 2005
    10
    A beautiful record thats much more polished than his earlier albums. I'm not sure when it became cool to hate this guy but he's a marvelous song writer who is going to continue to make great music long into the future.
  28. Uhhuhhim
    May 1, 2005
    10
    "All Music Guide - guides you somewhere you don't want to be."
  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
See all critic reviews »