Search - Various Artists :: Saddle Creek 50

Not a bad compilation from Saddle Creek

Chris Wren | Chicago, Illinois | 05/29/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Packaged almost like a greatest hits sampler, this record is a great way to learn about the indie scene that has been unearthed in Omaha. Although several of the bands have gained notoriety on their own (Bright Eyes, Cursive, and The Faint can all be directly linked to the collective success of Saddle Creek), this record serves as a way to pick up some new tracks from some of these artists and to feel out the other Saddle Creek bands. This has its perks and drawbacks. Those of us who have listened to anything on Saddle Creek have copies of some of these songs, and for that reason one can call this a certain greatest hits compilation. In a similar vein, this also is a mechanism to turn onto the various side projects of the Saddle Creek family: The Good Life, Desaparecidos, and Mayday. For those who have just started to feel the influence and range of the Saddle Creek bands, this is beneficial. Thus, if you have just recently explored some of these bands, this CD is a tremendous aid to delve deeper into this music. For those of us who have a great deal of the Saddle Creek music already, there are certain reasons to own this, and they make it worth buying. 1, it's a collection of some very good older songs. 2, the new tracks are fantastic as well. Cursive's "Nonsense" is straight up frightening (hear it to see what I mean), and Bright Eyes' "One Foot In Front of the Other" might be his best song to date. For those two songs alone I would recommend buying this album, most notably "One Foot In Front of the Other". So if you don't know much about Saddle Creek, pick this up as a great introduction. For those of us who are longt time fans, the new tracks make it worth it. Cool."

...WHAT is in the water in Omaha?? And why does it ROCK?....

abbey_113 | Seattle, WA United States | 04/14/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This sample of the artists of Omaha label Saddle Creek records is without a doubt the best...bucks I've spent in years. Turned on to the label by the genius of Bright Eyes/Conor Oberst, this proves that Saddle Creek is a label of more than one ridiculously gifted and important artists. Basically every band featured has a stand out performance and the CD is worth the price alone for the new bright eyes standout, one foot in front of the other.
The only "dangerous" thing about this album, is it will result in the undeniable need to explore more of the artists from Saddle Creek. I've already bought album's from Rilo Kiley, The Good Life, The Faint, and Cursive after hearing songs on "50." How often is it you hear something new that is not just good, but soul-shaking and brilliant? How often does a CD have not one example of such a thing, but multiple? The answer is rarely or never... but "50" from Saddle Creek does it.
This label and it's artists will be taking off, hands down the most important collective group of musicians in our country today. Those devils of fame Oberst sings so passionately about are coming (i fear) these folks are simply too good to go undiscovered. Take a listen... you will not be dissapointed."

Buy this album already

C. LaDuke | Vermont, USA | 06/13/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'm sure that a lot of you reading this are exaclty like I was a few monthes ago: you like some of the big names of saddle creek, and figure that this would be a good way to expand into one of the best studios in music today. You are correct. Before I bought this album, I think I was clinically obsessed with Bright Eyes and beginning to fall in love with Desaparecidos, but I wasn't realizing the true potential of the other saddle creek artist. To do a little name dropping, the artwork of Now It's Overhead and The Good Life have become the soundtrack to my life. If you're waverying about whether or not to buy this album I strongly recommend you follow my lead and buy it... its an expansive look into some of the most talented bands of our generation and a good way to become acquainted with some wicked good music."