Albums by this artist

Read Music/Speak Spanish (2002)

'The Happiest Place On Earth' single (2001)

Concerts

July 24, 2002
North Six, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Desaparecidos

'The Happiest Place On Earth' single

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» A.K. GOLD | STAFF WRITER

Desaparecidos 'The Happiest Place On Earth' single Saddle Creek, 2001 RiYL: Bright Eyes, Palace, Calexico

Just when I was beginning to write off the acoustic arrangements that Bright Eyes keeps churning out, Conor Oberst up and starts a rock band. And seemingly just to show me (egocentric to the fullest), The Happiest Place On Earth single and the band's performance that I saw a couple of weeks back indicate that they're really freakin' good. From the title track, it appears that Oberst has learned to play electric guitar and has surrounded himself with a crew of enthusiastic and skilled musicians who can capably rock out.

"The Happiest Place on Earth" finds the singer/songwriter exploring the lacuna between the American dream and reality. In his overwrought, but somehow-still-works style, he proves that he's read his Marx as he proclaims "Opportunity, it don't exist / It's the opiate of the populace." While on the intro to "What's New for Fall" finds guitarist Denver Dalley and drummer Matt Baum combining their raw instrumental force with Ian McElroy's quirky keyboards for a nearly perfect power pop moment. And even vocalist/bassist Landon Hedges' sincere singing holds its own against Oberst's harrowing outbursts on the single's final track, "Give Me The Pen."

These three songs serve as a preview to the full-length record, Read Music, Speak Spanish, that Desaparecidos will be releasing in January. I, for one, am greatly looking forward to it.

A.K. GOLD | A.K. Gold lives in Washington, D.C., where she slaves away for a non-profit organization and constantly compares everything to New York City or Chicago. She's earned her "cred" as a college radio and pre-1960 country music DJ, committed indie label street teamer, sporadic zinemaker/contributor, retired mail-order filler and occasional freelance writer. From time to time, she publishes Anecdotal Evidence, a per zine that will some day be considered for the National Book Award, or possibly not. If you want to buy a copy, or desire to write to her for some other reason, email criticgirl@hotmail.com.