Cassadaga (album)
Encyclopedia
Cassadaga is the seventh studio album
by Bright Eyes, released on April 10, 2007. Around 25 to 30 songs were recorded in 2006, with 13 of these appearing on the final track list. The album is named after the town
of Cassadaga, Florida
, a community
of mediums and followers of spiritualism
.
Z Berg of the Like
, Sherri DuPree
and Stacy DuPree
of Eisley
as well as solo artist Rachael Yamagata
all appear on this album. The first single
, "Four Winds" was released on March 6, 2007, from the Four Winds EP with five B-sides
not on Cassadaga.
Cassadaga debuted at number four on the U.S Billboard 200
, selling about 58,000 copies in its first week. The album is the 103rd release of Saddle Creek Records
. This album was #12 on Rolling Stone
s list of the Top 50 Albums of 2007. In the United Kingdom
Cassadaga reached number 13 on the UK Albums Chart
in April 2007http://everyhit.com.
Johnny Depp
named Cassadaga one of his "favorite things" of 2007.
The first single from the album, "Four Winds
" can be heard in the background briefly during the party scene in the 2008 film Cloverfield
.
and LP
versions of the album come with a "Spectral Decoder" which allows users to see the true cover art on the album. One particular segment of text located on the back of the case includes a phrase in Russian
; "тяните другую кровавую ванну" meaning "draw another bloody bath", a reference to the first track's lyrics. Another hidden phrase is in Greek
; "παρελθόν παρουσιάζω μέλλον" meaning "the past presents the future
", which is also the title of an album by Her Space Holiday
, with whom Bright Eyes released a split single
.
Hidden phrases in English:
Hidden phrases in French:
Hidden phrases in Portuguese:
"For Sabrina" is written on the inside of the CD case, and a separate insert on the LP, in memory of Sabrina Duim, a harpist and Stanford University
undergraduate who toured with Bright Eyes and died in January 2007.
On the back of the UK standard edition, "If the Brakeman Turns My Way" is misprinted as "If the Breakman Turns My Way". This UK standard edition was modified by designers at Polydor/Universal from the U.S. release (digipak, equivalent to the UK
deluxe version).
On February 10, 2008, Cassadaga won a Grammy
award for Best Recording Package.
written by Conor Oberst
, except where noted.
"Susan Miller Rag" is a B-side to the album. The song was released on CD and vinyl formats, and was only available to customers who pre-ordered Cassadaga.
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by Bright Eyes, released on April 10, 2007. Around 25 to 30 songs were recorded in 2006, with 13 of these appearing on the final track list. The album is named after the town
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
of Cassadaga, Florida
Cassadaga, Florida
Cassadaga is a small unincorporated community located in Volusia County, Florida, just north of Deltona...
, a community
Community
The term community has two distinct meanings:*a group of interacting people, possibly living in close proximity, and often refers to a group that shares some common values, and is attributed with social cohesion within a shared geographical location, generally in social units larger than a household...
of mediums and followers of spiritualism
Spiritualism
Spiritualism is a belief system or religion, postulating the belief that spirits of the dead residing in the spirit world have both the ability and the inclination to communicate with the living...
.
Z Berg of the Like
The Like
The Like is an alternative rock band from Los Angeles, California. The current members are Elizabeth "Z" Berg , Tennessee Thomas , Laena Geronimo , and Annie Monroe...
, Sherri DuPree
Sherri DuPree
Sherri Kay DuPree-Bemis is a vocalist, guitarist and lyricist for the band Eisley.-Career:Three of her siblings, Chauntelle, Stacy and Weston are also members of Eisley, along with her cousin, Garron. Her youngest sister Christie has performed with them live as well...
and Stacy DuPree
Stacy DuPree
Stacy Lynn DuPree is the keyboardist and one of the lead vocalists in the indie pop band Eisley. She is also credited the writing of the band's lyrics along with her sister Sherri.-Biography:...
of Eisley
Eisley
Eisley is a rock band from Tyler, Texas, consisting of four siblings and their cousin , all of whom were born and live in Texas. Although the band's name translates to ice island in several Germanic languages, it was actually selected by the bandmates because of its link to the Star Wars saga...
as well as solo artist Rachael Yamagata
Rachael Yamagata
Rachael Yamagata is an American singer-songwriter and pianist from Arlington, Virginia. She began her musical career with the band Bumpus before becoming a solo artist and releasing four EP's and three studio albums...
all appear on this album. The first single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, "Four Winds" was released on March 6, 2007, from the Four Winds EP with five B-sides
B-Sides
B-Sides is an iTunes-exclusive album from the Coventry Trio The Enemy, consisting of ten songs that were B-sides to the single releases from their debut album We'll Live and Die in These Towns.-Track list:#Fear Killed the Youth of Our Nation...
not on Cassadaga.
Cassadaga debuted at number four on the U.S Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
, selling about 58,000 copies in its first week. The album is the 103rd release of Saddle Creek Records
Saddle Creek Records
Saddle Creek Records is an American record label based in Omaha, Nebraska. Started as a college class project on entrepreneurship, the label was founded by Conor Oberst and Justin Oberst in 1993 . Conor soon turned over his role in the company to Robb Nansel...
. This album was #12 on Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
s list of the Top 50 Albums of 2007. In the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Cassadaga reached number 13 on the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
in April 2007http://everyhit.com.
Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp
John Christopher "Johnny" Depp II is an American actor, producer and musician. He has won the Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild award for Best Actor. Depp rose to prominence on the 1980s television series 21 Jump Street, becoming a teen idol...
named Cassadaga one of his "favorite things" of 2007.
The first single from the album, "Four Winds
Four Winds
Four Winds is an EP by the indie rock band Bright Eyes, that was released on March 6, 2007. The title track is the first single from their album Cassadaga. The other 5 tracks are exclusive b-sides from the 2006 recording sessions. It is marketed as being "quietly enchanting" and including "a...
" can be heard in the background briefly during the party scene in the 2008 film Cloverfield
Cloverfield
Cloverfield is a 2008 American disaster-monster film directed by Matt Reeves, produced by J. J. Abrams and written by Drew Goddard.The film follows six young New Yorkers attending a going-away party on the night that a gigantic monster attacks the city...
.
Cover
The CDCompact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
and LP
LP record
The LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
versions of the album come with a "Spectral Decoder" which allows users to see the true cover art on the album. One particular segment of text located on the back of the case includes a phrase in Russian
Russian language
Russian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
; "тяните другую кровавую ванну" meaning "draw another bloody bath", a reference to the first track's lyrics. Another hidden phrase is in Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
; "παρελθόν παρουσιάζω μέλλον" meaning "the past presents the future
The Past Presents the Future
The Past Presents the Future is an album by Her Space Holiday. It was released September 27, 2005 on Wichita Recordings.-Track listing:# "Forever and a Day" - 3:49# "Missed Medicine" - 3:46# "The Weight of the World" - 5:00# "Self Helpless" - 3:55...
", which is also the title of an album by Her Space Holiday
Her Space Holiday
Her Space Holiday is the recording moniker of indietronic and indie rock artist Marc Bianchi.-History:Marc Bianchi began as a musician in the California hardcore scene. He was a part of Indian Summer and Mohinder before assuming the moniker "Her Space Holiday" in 1996...
, with whom Bright Eyes released a split single
Split album
A split album is a music album which includes tracks by two or more separate artists. There have been singles and EPs released in the same nature, which can be referred to as split singles and split EPs respectively...
.
Hidden phrases in English:
- "Dog faced apologists pleasing themselves on the burning sand"
- "These myths are sacred and profane!"
- "Rocks beneath the water" (Which is what "Cassadaga" means in the Seneca language.)
- "Citrus slaves throwing dice in the dirt, amusement"
- "We love you, Breezy, and we miss you!!!" (Breezy was the nickname of Sabrina Duim)
- "Swollen saints bathing in a backwards river under a sliver of a moon"
- "Mighty Saturn enters your eighth house"
Hidden phrases in French:
- "Est-ce minuit ou midi?" ("Is it midnight or noon?")
Hidden phrases in Portuguese:
- "Virgens doentes de sol ficando frescas no túmulo do faraó" ("Virgins sick from the sun staying fresh in the grave of Pharaoh")
- "Plantas de pirâmedes cheio de cores tatuado na barriga de uma puta" ("Pyramide blueprints, full of colours, tattooed in the belly of a whore")
"For Sabrina" is written on the inside of the CD case, and a separate insert on the LP, in memory of Sabrina Duim, a harpist and Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
undergraduate who toured with Bright Eyes and died in January 2007.
On the back of the UK standard edition, "If the Brakeman Turns My Way" is misprinted as "If the Breakman Turns My Way". This UK standard edition was modified by designers at Polydor/Universal from the U.S. release (digipak, equivalent to the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
deluxe version).
On February 10, 2008, Cassadaga won a Grammy
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
award for Best Recording Package.
Track listing
All songsSong
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
written by Conor Oberst
Conor Oberst
Conor Mullen Oberst is an American singer-songwriter best known for his work in Bright Eyes. He has also played in several other bands, including Desaparecidos, Norman Bailer , Commander Venus, Park Ave., Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, and Monsters of Folk.-Musical career:Oberst began...
, except where noted.
- "Clairaudients (Kill or Be Killed)" – 6:08
- "Four WindsFour WindsFour Winds is an EP by the indie rock band Bright Eyes, that was released on March 6, 2007. The title track is the first single from their album Cassadaga. The other 5 tracks are exclusive b-sides from the 2006 recording sessions. It is marketed as being "quietly enchanting" and including "a...
" – 4:16 - "If the Brakeman Turns My Way" (Conor Oberst and Jason BoeselJason BoeselJason Boesel was the drummer for Rilo Kiley and has also played with The Elected. He also drummed in the Bright Eyes touring band during their 2005 tour, and went on to write the liner notes for the consequent Bright Eyes live album, Motion Sickness and contributing to Bright Eyes' 2007 record,...
) – 4:53 - "Hot KnivesHot Knives"Hot Knives" is the second song to be released by the indie/folk-rock band Bright Eyes, from their album Cassadaga. The song was released on July 9, 2007, on a strictly-limited 7" double A-side record....
" – 4:13 - "Make a Plan to Love Me" – 4:14
- "Soul Singer in a Session Band" – 4:14
- "Classic Cars" – 4:19
- "Middleman" – 4:49
- "Cleanse Song" – 3:28
- "No One Would Riot for Less" – 5:12
- "Coat Check Dream Song" (Conor Oberst and Nate WalcottNate WalcottNate Walcott is a trumpet, flugelhorn and keyboard player who has appeared on several of Saddle Creek Records artists' albums. He is one of three permanent members of Bright Eyes, along with Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis, and has toured with Bright Eyes....
) – 4:10 - "I Must Belong Somewhere" – 6:19
- "Lime Tree" – 5:53
B-sides
| B-side | Availability |
|---|---|
| "Tourist Trap" | Four Winds Four Winds Four Winds is an EP by the indie rock band Bright Eyes, that was released on March 6, 2007. The title track is the first single from their album Cassadaga. The other 5 tracks are exclusive b-sides from the 2006 recording sessions. It is marketed as being "quietly enchanting" and including "a... |
| "Reinvent the Wheel" | Four Winds |
| "Cartoon Blues" | Four Winds |
| "Smoke Without Fire" | Four Winds |
| "Stray Dog Freedom" | Four Winds |
| "Endless Entertainment" | Download here |
| "Susan Miller Rag" | 3" (8 cm) with Cassadaga pre-order |
"Susan Miller Rag" is a B-side to the album. The song was released on CD and vinyl formats, and was only available to customers who pre-ordered Cassadaga.
Personnel
- Conor OberstConor OberstConor Mullen Oberst is an American singer-songwriter best known for his work in Bright Eyes. He has also played in several other bands, including Desaparecidos, Norman Bailer , Commander Venus, Park Ave., Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, and Monsters of Folk.-Musical career:Oberst began...
– voice (1–13), guitar (tracks 1, 2, 4–13), piano (track 3), synthesizer (track 13) - Mike MogisMike MogisMike Mogis is a Nebraskan producer/engineer and multi-instrumentalist who, along with his brother A.J. Mogis, founded Presto! Recording Studios ....
– guitar (tracks 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11), bass (tracks 1, 3–6, 9), pedal steel (tracks 1, 3, 10, 11), voice (tracks 3, 9, 11), lap steel (tracks 6, 8, 9), mandolin (tracks 2, 12), dobro (tracks 4, 12), percussion (tracks 8, 9), vibraphone (tracks 1, 11), 12-string (track 2), baritone (track 8), ukulele (track 9), glockenspiel (track 1) - Nate WalcottNate WalcottNate Walcott is a trumpet, flugelhorn and keyboard player who has appeared on several of Saddle Creek Records artists' albums. He is one of three permanent members of Bright Eyes, along with Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis, and has toured with Bright Eyes....
– organ (1–3, 6, 7, 10, 12), piano (tracks 4, 6, 7), string arrangement (tracks 4, 10, 13), electric piano (tracks 2, 11), orchestral arrangement (tracks 1, 5), woodwind arrangement (tracks 8, 9) - M. WardM. WardMatthew Stephen Ward, known by his stage name M. Ward, is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who rose to prominence in the Portland, Oregon music scene. In addition to his solo work he is known as a member of She & Him and Monsters of Folk.-Career:...
– guitar (tracks 1, 4, 6), voice (track 6) - Janet WeissJanet WeissJanet Lee Weiss was the drummer of now defunct Sleater-Kinney and is currently a member of Quasi and Wild Flag. She was the drummer for Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, leaving after the album Mirror Traffic.-Early life:...
– drums (tracks 1, 4, 6) - Clark BaechleClark BaechleClark Alan Baechle is the drummer in the band The Faint. He also played in another Nebraskan band, Park Ave. He has also played on many releases and tours for Bright Eyes, playing drums and clarinet...
– percussion (track 1) - Stacy DuPreeStacy DuPreeStacy Lynn DuPree is the keyboardist and one of the lead vocalists in the indie pop band Eisley. She is also credited the writing of the band's lyrics along with her sister Sherri.-Biography:...
– voice (tracks 4, 5, 10, 11, 13) - Sherri DuPreeSherri DuPreeSherri Kay DuPree-Bemis is a vocalist, guitarist and lyricist for the band Eisley.-Career:Three of her siblings, Chauntelle, Stacy and Weston are also members of Eisley, along with her cousin, Garron. Her youngest sister Christie has performed with them live as well...
– voice (tracks 4, 5, 10, 11, 13) - Z Berg – voice (tracks 1, 4, 5, 10, 11, 13)
- Rachael YamagataRachael YamagataRachael Yamagata is an American singer-songwriter and pianist from Arlington, Virginia. She began her musical career with the band Bumpus before becoming a solo artist and releasing four EP's and three studio albums...
– voice (tracks 1, 4, 5, 10, 11, 13) - Hassan Lemtouni – voice (tracks 1, 11)
- Chris MacDonald- voice (track 5, 8)
- Suzie Katayama – conductor (tracks 1, 5)
- Bill Meyers – conductor (tracks 4, 10, 13)
- Dan McCarthy – bass (track 2)
- Jason BoeselJason BoeselJason Boesel was the drummer for Rilo Kiley and has also played with The Elected. He also drummed in the Bright Eyes touring band during their 2005 tour, and went on to write the liner notes for the consequent Bright Eyes live album, Motion Sickness and contributing to Bright Eyes' 2007 record,...
– drums (tracks 2, 3, 7, 10–12), voice (tracks 3, 8) - Anton PatznerAnton PatznerAnton Patzner is a violinist, composer and arranger who is a founding member of Judgement Day, has been featured on several major label and indie label records, frequently tours with Bright Eyes and Audrye Sessions and has also toured with Mates of State, The Faint, dredg, Margot and the Nuclear So...
– violin (tracks 2, 6) - Maria TaylorMaria TaylorMaria Diane Taylor is an American singer/songwriter from Birmingham, Alabama. She is also a member of the duo Azure Ray with Orenda Fink, as well as the band Now It's Overhead, both of which are signed with Saddle Creek Records...
– voice (track 2), drums (track 5) - Andy LeMasterAndy LeMasterAndy LeMaster is an American singer-songwriter and producer/engineer from Athens, Georgia. His primary band is Now It's Overhead. LeMaster has engineered, produced, and performed in many of the releases on the Saddle Creek label, including records by Bright Eyes, Now It's Overhead, Azure Ray,...
– voice (track 2) - David RawlingsDavid RawlingsDavid Todd Rawlings is a professional guitarist and singer. He is best known as the longtime musical partner of bluegrass singer-songwriter Gillian Welch.David attended the Berklee College of Music and studied with guitar professor Lauren Passarelli....
– guitar (tracks 5, 7, 12) - Tim Luntzel – bass (tracks 7, 10)
- Gillian WelchGillian WelchGillian Welch is an American singer-songwriter. She performs with her musical partner, guitarist David Rawlings. Their sparse and dark musical style, which combines elements of Appalachian music, Bluegrass, and Americana, is described by The New Yorker as "at once innovative and obliquely...
– voice (track 7) - Ted StevensTed Stevens (musician)Ted Stevens is an American rock musician from Omaha, Nebraska, best known as the guitarist and backup singer for the band Cursive, as well as fronting Mayday...
– voice (track 8) - Sean Foley – voice (track 8)
- John McEntireJohn McEntireJohn McEntire is an American recording engineer, drummer and multi-instrumentalist. He is best-known for being in Tortoise and The Sea and Cake, as well as being a highly in-demand producer and engineer....
– percussion (tracks 8, 9, 11), electronics (track 11) - Michael Zerang – percussion (tracks 8, 9)
- Jonathan Crawford – percussion (tracks 8, 9, 11)
- Dan Bitney – percussion (tracks 8, 9)
- Dan Fliegel – percussion (tracks 8, 9)
- David Moyer – bass clarinet (track 8)
- Brian Walsh – clarinet (track 9), bass clarinet (track 8)
- Shane Aspegren – drums (track 11), percussion (track 9)
- Sarah Wass – flute (track 9)
- Myka Miller – oboe (track 9)
- Stefanie DrootinStefanie DrootinStefanie Drootin is the bass guitarist for the band The Good Life on Saddle Creek Records. She also plays or has played in Bright Eyes, She and Him, McCarthy Trenching, Azure Ray, Orenda Fink and Maria Taylor.-Album Appearances:...
– bass (tracks 11, 12) - Jake Bellows – voice (track 12)
External links
- Cassadaga at Saddle Creek RecordsSaddle Creek RecordsSaddle Creek Records is an American record label based in Omaha, Nebraska. Started as a college class project on entrepreneurship, the label was founded by Conor Oberst and Justin Oberst in 1993 . Conor soon turned over his role in the company to Robb Nansel...