Five Dice, All Threes Explained
Five Dice, All Threes is the eleventh studio album by American band Bright Eyes, released by Dead Oceans on September 20, 2024.[1] [2] [3] The album features collaborations with Cat Power and Matt Berninger. It was supported by two singles: "Bells and Whistles" and "Rainbow Overpass".
Background
The album was recorded by Mike Mogis at ARC Studios in Omaha, Nebraska, from September 2023 to February 2024.[4]
Regarding the album's dice-themed framing device, Oberst stated: "Life is a game of chance and a metaphorical street brawl, so that is what we are putting out there."[5]
Release and tour
In an October 2023 interview with Mixdown Magazine, Conor Oberst revealed that Bright Eyes were recording a new record which he anticipated would be released the following fall.[6] On June 18, 2024, the band confirmed on Instagram that they would be releasing their eleventh studio album sometime in the fall.[7]
Five Dice, All Threes was officially announced on June 25 alongside the single "Bells and Whistles" and its accompanying music video, which was directed by Josh Boone. They simultaneously announced 15 tour dates, which would begin with a release show at Brooklyn Steel in New York on September 19 and later move to Europe for a nine-date run in November.[8] On August 6, the band released a second single, "Rainbow Overpass", and announced a 43-date North American tour spanning the first four months of 2025. It is set to begin on January 16 in Phoenix, Arizona, and end on April 26 in Des Moines, Iowa.[9] Five Dice, All Threes was released by Dead Oceans on September 20, 2024.[10] It is the second of a two-album deal that the band signed with the record label back in 2018.
The day before the album's release, the band cancelled its three supporting tour dates at Brooklyn Steel (September 19), Chicago's Riot Fest (September 21) and Omaha's Steelhouse (September 22), stating: "We're heartbroken to announce that our upcoming record release shows have been cancelled. The warm-up shows we played earlier this week resulted in Conor losing his voice and, on the advice of doctors, we've made the difficult but sensible decision to prioritise rest and recuperation for the remainder of the month."[11] On September 27, the band cancelled all of their 2024 tour dates following medical tests which determined Oberst "developed a condition that is exacerbated by excessive singing, requiring both treatment and recuperation". Their statement continued: "We are confident that with a successful regimen, and continued medical attention, we will be able to return to the road next year."[12] [13] On October 23, Oberst posted a video message in which he thanked fans for their messages of support and reported "feeling a lot better". He also commented that he anticipated the band would resume their tour at the end of January 2025.[14]
Critical reception
Five Dice, All Threes received favorable reviews from music critics. The album has a score of 75 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating "generally favorable reviews", based on 8 reviews.
Fred Thomas of AllMusic wrote, "Oberst's storytelling songwriting remains despairing and maudlin, but he seems more self-aware of this than ever before, injecting some triumph and levity into these songs that suggest he's not just smiling through the pain, but laughing at how ridiculous life can be, and maybe even secretly a little bit grateful for being able to experience it all."
Personnel
Musicians
Bright Eyes
- Conor Oberst – vocal, acoustic and electric guitars, baritone acoustic guitar, production
- Mike Mogis – pedal steel, electric guitar, manjo, Dobro, mandolin, banjo, production, recording, mixing
- Nathaniel Walcott – piano, trumpet, synthesizers, organs, Mellotron, electric piano, celeste, glockenspiel, string and horn arrangements, production
Additional musicians
- Jason Boesel – drums (tracks 2–7, 9–11, 13), vocals (tracks 4, 7, 11, 13), percussion (tracks 2, 6, 10)
- Alex Orange Drink – vocals (tracks 2, 4, 7, 8, 11, 13), whistling (track 2)
- Amy Carey – whistling (track 2)
- Vikram Devasthali – trombone (tracks 2, 4, 13)
- Josh Johnson – alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones (tracks 2, 4, 7, 13)
- Macey Taylor – bass (tracks 2–11, 13), vocals (tracks 4, 11, 13)
- Griffin Goldsmith – drums (track 3–8, 10, 13), percussion (tracks 2, 6, 10), vocals (tracks 4, 7, 9, 11, 13)
- Adam Reich – acoustic guitar (tracks 5, 7), electric guitar (track 8)
- Cat Power – vocals (track 6)
- Corina Figueroa Escamilla – vocals (track 7)
- James King – tenor and baritone saxophones (track 7)
- Jake Bellows – vocals (track 10), guitar (track 10)
- Paul Cartwright – violin (tracks 11)
- Luanne Homzy – violin (tracks 11)
- Jennifer Takamatsu – violin (tracks 11)
- Zach Dellinger – viola (tracks 11)
- Vanessa Freebairn-Smith – cello (tracks 11)
- Matt Berninger – vocals (track 12)
- Michaela Favara – vocals (track 13)
- Sarah Greenwell – vocals (track 13)
- Jamie Montes – vocals (track 13)
Technical
- Adam Roberts – engineering, additional production
- Pierre de Reeder – additional horn engineering (tracks 2, 4, 7, 13), additional string engineering (track 11)
- Chan Marshall – vocal production (track 6), vocal arrangement (track 6)
- Adam Blastevic – vocal engineering (track 6), vocal mixing (track 6)
- Nick Lloyd – vocal engineering (track 12)
- Eric (E. Babbs) Barber – additional production (track 12)
- Stella Mogis – research assistant
- Brian Lee – mastering
- Bob Jackson – mastering
Artwork
Notes and References
- Web site: Wine . Steven . September 18, 2024 . Music Review: Bright Eyes' 'Five Dice, All Threes' contemplates death, the Mets and much more . September 21, 2024 . AP News.
- Web site: Song . Sandra . September 20, 2024 . Conor Oberst bets on himself . September 21, 2024 . The Fader.
- Web site: Clarke . Patrick . September 17, 2024 . Bright Eyes on new album 'Five Dice, All Threes', and why "Elon Musk is one of the biggest pieces of shit" . September 21, 2024 . . en-GB.
- Web site: Five Dice, All Threes, by Bright Eyes . . September 21, 2024.
- Mueller. Andrew. November 2024. Bright Eyes – Five Dice, All Threes. Uncut. 30–31. 331.
- Web site: Noke-Edwards . Lewis . October 24, 2023 . Bright Eyes and bushy-tailed: we talk to Conor Oberst . September 21, 2024 . Mixdown Magazine . en-AU.
- Web site: Slingerland . Calum . June 18, 2024 . Bright Eyes Confirm 11th Album Arriving This Fall . September 21, 2024 . Exclaim!.
- Web site: Corcoran . Nina . June 25, 2024 . Bright Eyes Announce Tour and New Album Five Dice, All Threes, Share Video for New Song . September 21, 2024 . . en-US.
- Web site: Ragusa . Paolo . August 6, 2024 . Bright Eyes Announce 2025 Tour, Premiere "Rainbow Overpass" . September 21, 2024 . . en-US.
- Web site: Bloom . Madison . September 20, 2024 . 7 Albums Out This Week You Should Listen to Now . September 21, 2024 . . en-US.
- Web site: Dunworth . Liberty . September 19, 2024 . Bright Eyes cancel record release shows after Conor Oberst loses voice . September 21, 2024 . . en-GB.
- Web site: Strauss . Matthew . September 28, 2024 . Bright Eyes Cancel 2024 Tour Dates as Conor Oberst Requires Treatment for "Vocal Problems" . September 30, 2024 . Pitchfork . en-US.
- Web site: Willman . Chris . September 28, 2024 . Bright Eyes Cancels Remaining 2024 Concert Dates After Alarming Tour Kickoff, Says Conor Oberst Will Be Treated for 'Vocal Problems' . September 30, 2024 . Variety . en-US.
- Web site: Hatfield . Amanda . October 23, 2024 . Conor Oberst "feeling better," says Bright Eyes will resume tour in 2025 . October 23, 2024 . BrooklynVegan.
