Artist: Bright Eyes / Neva Dinova
Album: One Jug of Wine, Two Vessels
Tracks: 6
Label: Crank!
Release Date: April 20th, 2004
Review By: Tom Bastian
 

 

 

I'm not a big fan of EP's, complilations, or split albums...unless of course there is something unique presented.  "One Jug of Wine, Two Vessels" is not your typical split EP. But instead a collaboration between two indie bands from Omaha, Nebraska.  Six brand new songs performed by musicians from both bands, with the songwriting duties being split between Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes) and Jakes Bellows (Neva Dinova).

The opening track "Tripped" has Bellows taking the lead on vocals (he also covers lead on tracks 3, 5 and 6), while the 2nd track "Black Comedy" and 4th track "I'll Be Your Friend" are the only two that Oberst takes on lead vocal duties. When I first heard about this album coming out I would haver never guessed how great these two sound together.  The EP never gets boring pulling you in right from the start.  For both artists the songs are right up there with some of the best tracks on their main bands full-lengths, if not better then most.  Lyrically the songs come across a little more like the poetic stylings of Neva Dinova and less of the storyline songs that Conor has been known for (with the exception of I'll Be Your Friend" and "Spring Cleaning" those two are kind of easy to follow). 

The album will be availabe in both CDEP format and a limited-edition, hand-numbered 10" vinyl.  Right now over at the Crank! website you can register to win a copy of one of the first 10 hand number records. So head on over and sign up for their contest, then check out the album when it comes out in April.