Hearing Conor Oberst’s froggy, pain-dappled voice paired up with a frank, wispy lady like Phoebe Bridgers. On their self-titled debut as Better Oblivion Community Center, he’s pushing forty, learned and weary after nearly thirty years in the business, while she’s still in the first bloom of fame at twenty-four—and the intermingling of their fragile dispositions makes good sense. Oberst’s voice is always quivering like the last leaf on an autumn tree, while hers cocoons his like a silver lining, patient as a lullaby.
Better Oblivion Community Center performing live in the KEXP studio. Recorded March 17th, 2019.
Songs: Dylan Thomas Didn’t Know What I Was in For Little Trouble Easy/Lucky/Free
The Fat Angel Sings 