Listen Up! Conor Oberst tries going it alone

Who: A singer-songwriter from Omaha, Neb.

Sounds like: Conor Oberst has built a name for himself over the last decade with his band Bright Eyes. Bright Eyes and Saddle Creek, the Omaha-based record label Oberst co-founded, helped usher in a bevy of independent artists who broke out over the past decade, bringing mainstream attention to the independent rock scene.

Stepping away from his usual collaborators in Bright Eyes for the first time in more than 13 years, Conor Oberst continues the trend he set for himself by weaving in and out of genres, never staying too long with one sound.

Bright Eyes' last album "Casadaga," was filled with orchestrated country songs with apocalyptic subject mater. Before "Casadaga," Bright Eyes simultaneously released two albums, one a stripped-down acoustic album, the other a digital pop record. Oberst is never one to be content with a niche.

He maintains the grassroots folk he's favored in recent years on his solo venture and blends it with old-fashioned Americana rock. This change in musical direction gives credence to comparisons to Bob Dylan that Oberst has received for lyrics' confessional presentations and the gravity of their poetic nature.

Oberst's voice has never sounded more confident than it does now without the backing of his Bright Eyes familiars. Often, his voice quivers with uncertainty throughout his albums. While this emphasizes much of the uncertainty and emotional difficulty in the lyrics, it can be distracting for a listener.

Oberst's solo album finds him examining the freedoms of travel, specifically the escape of the erratic pace of American urban life. "There's nothing that the road cannot heal," he sings, illustrating his need to get out. The first half of the album illustrates his claustrophobic discontent and need for escape.

As Oberst's campaign for escapism continues, he finds himself trekking from New York to Mexico City, inspired by his decision to record in a small villa outside Mexico City for less than a month. This recording method displays Oberst's desire to create moments rather than produce perfectionism. Not surprising from an artist who maintains the songs are never done and constantly revises tracks he finished years ago. It's easy to imagine Oberst sitting alone outside playing to himself on a muggy Mexican night and just hitting the "record" button.

Conor Oberst's self-titled album is as honest and telling a collection of songs as you'll find this year. He plans on touring this fall with Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley before heading back to the studio to record the next Bright Eyes album before the end of the year. Until then, you can listen to a selection from the album at www.myspace.com/conoroberst.

Latest release: "Conor Oberst" - Aug. 5

Download this: "Moab," "Sausalito," "I Don't Want to Die (In the Hospital)," "Leaders in the Temple"

Rocks Like: "I'm Wide Awake It's Morning" by Bright Eyes, "Rabbit Fur Coat" by Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins, "Blood on the Tracks" by Bob Dylan

Reach Griffin at saves thegreenday@gmail.com.