Desaparecidos

Desaparecidos are a five-piece post-hardcore/emo/indie/punk band from Omaha, Nebraska that was briefly active from 2001-2002, but have been back and fully formed since 2012, plus a brief reunion in 2010. Although all their members have been active in numerous other projects, it's kind of hard to ignore who's fronting this band. It's none other than Conor Oberst, who is best known for his main project, Bright Eyes (though their future is uncertain), as well as being involved in numerous other projects, such as the Mystic Valley Band, Monsters of Folk, and most recently, solo (he put out a fantastic album last year). Regardless, Desaparecidos are another amazing band to add to an already impressive resume, and quite different from any of the aforementioned. For one, they eschew the folk influence that is present in the others. This band has way more in common with fellow Saddle Creek band Cursive than they do Bright Eyes. Oberst's typical quiver is abandoned in favour of anthemic rallying cries, often resulting in screams and shouts to convey the band's overtly political message. Whether it's 2002 or 2015, they've got a bone to pick with capitalism, if you know what I mean.

On their debut, Read Music/Speak Spanish, you hear the energy of a young band in wild revolt against the Bush Administration, American nationalism, economic inequality, and the tradition of marriage and courtship. The end result that emerges is a mess of Oberst's megaphone chants over duelling guitar riffs, pounding drums, and keyboards trying to find their place among the rage. The songs are just as catchy as they are punchy, and take the listener on a train wreck that is the American Dream for 9-10 songs, depending on what version you've got.

Eight years after their debut and hiatus, they did a one-off reunion show in 2010. Two years after that though, that one-off show would prove to be the start of their actual reunion. In 2012 they began touring again, and recorded and released a slew of singles, which they put out on their website. These songs were the first new ones written and recorded since Read Music/Speak Spanish. Though the last of them was released in 2013, they were also included on 2015's Payola, which is just what we've finally been graced with. This is their long-awaited sophomore album, which features 6 previously released tracks, and 8 new ones. Needless to say, Desaparecidos have become much more refined since 2002, and it certainly shows. After a few years of playing together under their belt, they're tighter than ever going into this new album. The vocals are a little cleaner, the instrumentation a little more together, the songs seem more worked through, and yet, the band feels looser now than they did. And I mean this in a good way, of course. They sound like they're having a bit of fun with it, and have taken the angst level down a bit. Having said that, the anger is certainly not good. They still remain a politically-focused force, and mention a slew of relevant issues that have emerged more and more since their debut. Enough rambling, here you go.

The Happiest Place On Earth (2001)

1. The Happiest Place On Earth

2. What's New For Fall

3. Give Me The Pen

Read Music/Speak Spanish (2002)

1. What's New For Fall

2. Man And Wife, The Former (Financial Planning)

3. Manana

4. Greater Omaha

5. Man And Wife, The Latter (Damaged Goods)

6. Mall Of America

7. The Happiest Place On Earth

8. Survival of The Fittest/It's A Jungle Out There

9. $$$$

10. Hole In One

Saddle Creek 50 (2003)

11. Man And Wife, The Latter (Damaged Goods)

12. Popn' Off At The F

Payola (2015)

1. The Left Is Right

2. The Underground Man

3. City On The Hill

4. Golden Parachuters

5. Radicalized

6. MariKKKopa

7. Te Amo Camila Vallejo

8. Ralphy's Cut

9. Backsell

10. Slacktivist

11. Search The Searches

12. 10 Steps Behind

13. Von Maur Massacre

14. Anonymous

Website