2002 was a simpler time. Apple’s iMac G4 was being touted as the next generation iMac; the Maryland Terrapins won the NCAA championship (HELL YEAH THEY DID); Kelly Clarkson won the very first season of American Idol; Conor Oberst had literally no muscle mass.
Also, he was splitting time between fronting Bright Eyes and the lesser known (and long defunct) Desaparecidos. And it’s too damn bad – they were good. Just imagine the Oberst you know from the turn of the century, the perpetually emotive music and lyrics, the ever-wavering voice… and then imagine the opposite of that.
Desaparecidos was three things: distortion, yelling, and catchiness, and somehow it all worked together. Picture Oberst at his most screamy, and then imagine that under punchy drums and mega-distorted riffs and chords. Also, he sang about money and the american dream, and he must have been really angry about it, because he sang it loud.
The band only had one full length album, Read Music | Speak Spanish, and it’s short but pretty much awesome all the way through. As long as you can handle Oberst’s voice. If you’ve read this far, I’d like to imagine you can.
Desaparecidos – “Man and Wife, the Former (Financial Planning)” [MP3]
Desaparecidos – “$$$$” [MP3]
im no braver badge of nothing, i just want to kill something!