Five Dice, All Threes

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Five Dice, All Threes
Five Dice, All Threes Bright Eyes album cover.jpg
Studio album by
Bright Eyes
ReleasedSeptember 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
RecordedSeptember 2023–February 2024
StudioARC (Omaha)
Length50:54
Label Dead Oceans
Producer Bright Eyes
Bright Eyes chronology
Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was
(2020)		Five Dice, All Threes
(2024)
Singles from Five Dice, All Threes
  1. "Bells and Whistles"
    Released: June 25, 2024
  2. "Rainbow Overpass"
    Released: August 6, 2024

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".

Contents

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 announced 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] 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." [10]

Five Dice, All Threes was released by Dead Oceans on September 20, 2024. [11] It is the second of a two-album deal that the band signed with the record label back in 2018. [5]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 75/100 [12]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [13]
Uncut 8/10 [5]

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 7 reviews. [12]

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." [13]

Track listing

Five Dice, All Threes track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Five Dice" 1:39
2."Bells and Whistles"
4:07
3."El Capitan"Oberst3:54
4."Bas Jan Ader"
  • Oberst
  • Alex Orange Drink
3:54
5."Tiny Suicides"
4:44
6."All Threes" (featuring Cat Power)
  • Oberst
  • Walcott
5:24
7."Rainbow Overpass" (featuring Alex Orange Drink)
  • Oberst
  • Alex Orange Drink
3:01
8."Hate"
  • Oberst
  • Walcott
  • Alex Orange Drink
4:52
9."Real Feel 105°"Oberst3:25
10."Spun Out"
  • Oberst
  • Walcott
3:36
11."Trains Still Run on Time"
  • Oberst
  • Alex Orange Drink
3:47
12."The Time I Have Left" (featuring Matt Berninger)
  • Oberst
  • Walcott
3:32
13."Tin Soldier Boy"
  • Oberst
  • Alex Orange Drink
4:59
Total length:50:54

Personnel

Musicians

Bright Eyes

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

Artwork

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References

  1. ↑ Wine, Steven (September 18, 2024). "Music Review: Bright Eyes' 'Five Dice, All Threes' contemplates death, the Mets and much more". AP News . Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  2. ↑ Song, Sandra (September 20, 2024). "Conor Oberst bets on himself". The Fader . Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  3. ↑ 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"". NME . Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Five Dice, All Threes, by Bright Eyes". Bandcamp . Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 Mueller, Andrew (November 2024). "Bright Eyes – Five Dice, All Threes". Uncut . No. 331. pp. 30–31.
  6. ↑ Noke-Edwards, Lewis (October 24, 2023). "Bright Eyes and bushy-tailed: we talk to Conor Oberst". Mixdown Magazine. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  7. ↑ Slingerland, Calum (June 18, 2024). "Bright Eyes Confirm 11th Album Arriving This Fall". Exclaim! . Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  8. ↑ Corcoran, Nina (June 25, 2024). "Bright Eyes Announce Tour and New Album Five Dice, All Threes, Share Video for New Song". Pitchfork . Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  9. ↑ Ragusa, Paolo (August 6, 2024). "Bright Eyes Announce 2025 Tour, Premiere "Rainbow Overpass"". Consequence . Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  10. ↑ Dunworth, Liberty (September 19, 2024). "Bright Eyes cancel record release shows after Conor Oberst loses voice". NME . Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  11. ↑ Bloom, Madison (September 20, 2024). "7 Albums Out This Week You Should Listen to Now". Pitchfork . Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  12. 1 2 "Five Dice, All Threes by Bright Eyes Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic . Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  13. 1 2 Thomas, Fred. "Five Dice, All Threes - Bright Eyes". AllMusic . Retrieved September 21, 2024.
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