Bright Eyes album finally has a release date, album title

Conor Oberst sits in Slowdown's back stage area. (Photo by Alyssa Schukar/The World-Herald)

Finally, we have some information. Bright Eyes will release "The People's Key" on Feb. 15 through Saddle Creek Records, according to a press release.

It was rumored for a fall release, but then spring. And, as reported, it's supposed to be the last Bright Eyes album EVER, but I'm not sure if that will end up being the case.

The album title apparently comes from track six. I dunno if Conor Oberst is making some political or social statement or simply referring to the Key of C or the Key of G major, which have both been referred to as "The People's Key."

They've been recording the 10-song album at ARC in Omaha with Bright Eyes bandmember Mike Mogis producing. Mogis and Andy Lemaster did the engineering and a usual cast of Saddle Creek and Team Love-related folks appeared on the record including Lemaster, Matt Maginn, Laura Burhenn, Clark Baechle, Shane Aspegren and others.

The release calls the record "artfully arranged and filled with the engaging and mesmeric songwriting for which Oberst is renowned."

I'm interested to finally hear some new Bright Eyes songs, though I expected more than 10 songs after three years. Granted, Oberst used up a lot of his songwriting on solo releases and the Monsters of Folk.

Nonetheless, I'm excited. Not to mention that February just got busy for me.

No big tour announced yet, but two shows are on the schedule - one in NYC on March 9 and another in London on June 23.

"The People's Key" tracklist:
1. Firewall
2. Shell Games
3. Jejune Stars
4. Approximate Sunlight
5. Haile Selassie
6. A Machine Spiritual (In the People's Key)
7. Triple Spiral
8. Beginner's Mind
9. Ladder Song
10. One For You, One For Me