Salutations
The atmosphere of 2016’s *Ruminations*—stripped-back, vulnerable, raw—seemed of a piece with a record marked by Conor Oberst’s convalescence in his Nebraskan hometown. So it’s a surprise to learn that the expansive full band accompaniment of this companion album actually returns those songs to their intended form. Bolstered by seven new tracks and radiating whiskey-drenched bonhomie (see the rowdy honky tonk of “Napalm”), *Salutations* thrillingly trades isolation for the cathartic communion of friends crowded around a piano.
Conor Oberst's album Salutations, a companion piece to 2016's lauded Ruminations, comprises full-band versions of the ten tunes from that solo album plus seven additional songs. Salutations; was recorded at the famed Shangri-la Studios in Malibu and Five Star Studios in Echo Park with The Felice Brothers and the legendary drummer Jim Keltner, who co-produced the album. Guest performers include Jim James, Blake Mills, Maria Taylor, M. Ward, Gillian Welch, and Jonathan Wilson. The Independent says it's "probably the best work of the singer's career."
For Salutations, Conor Oberst rearranged songs from 2016’s Ruminations with a full band and shuffled, expanded tracklist. It’s one of his most demanding albums, and also one of his least ambitious.
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A companion album to 2016's Ruminations, Salutations is the fully produced, fully realized version of its skeletal predecessor.
Salutations is a difficult album to classify. On the one hand, it's a companion piece to last year's Ruminations, with Conor Oberst reworkin...
As he croons away with that weather-beaten voice and twinkle-eyed cynicism, it's easy to forget Conor Oberst is only 37.
Conor Oberst is utterly prolific: New album 'Salutations' is a collection of full-band recordings of the songs he delivered on 2016 LP 'Ruminations'.
Salutations is a sprawling album that unfortunately exchanges raw urgency for fussy polish.
'Salutations' by Conor Oberst, album review by Owen Maxwell. The LP comes out March 17th via Nonesuch records. Conor Oberst plays 3/14 in San Antonio, TX.
Salutations makes one feel that Oberst has lost faith in his individual creativity.
This re-recording of the singer's masterpiece is more mellow - but is it as good? Review by Russ Coffey