From the Record Crate: Rilo Kiley – “Rilo Kiley” (2000)

Rilo Kiley, the Southern California indie-rock band that flourished through most of the 2000s, began with a humble EP released in 1999. That EP, self-titled, and then renamed The Initial Friend during a third pressing, has long been a rarity among Rilo…

Album Review: Conor Oberst – “Salutations”

Songwriting is a skill many artists can struggle with, but this doesn’t seem to apply to Conor Oberst. The folk musician has taken his feelings, ideas, and emotions and formed them into words. Throughout his new album Salutations, he writes…

From the Record Crate: Bright Eyes – “I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning” (2005)

I feel like a bit of a hack writing this because, surprisingly, considering my music tastes, I am not what you’d call a dedicated or avid fan of the band Bright Eyes. However, fear not Conor Oberst enthusiasts, because I…