Lifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground
Nebraskan wunderkind Conor Oberst writes songs so naked and heartfelt they  make you feel like a voyeur just listening to them. This precocious  singer-songwriter croons with the astonished intensity of a homelessRobert Smithsinging for his supper. And his band's fourth album is every bit as  lyrical, sprawling, and pretentious as its title. The production is notably  brighter and crisper than previous efforts, with some songs, notably  "Nothing Gets Crossed Out," lushly swathed in sweet-sounding strings. WhenLiftedis great, as on the slow-churning anthem "From a Balance  Beam," it's superb, visionary pop music, on par withJeff Mangum,Phil Elvrum, andDaniel Johnston--and on  occasion,Dylan.  Unfortunately, half the songs sprawl on too long or revisit the  same themes too frequently. Still, anyone who can operate a fast-forward button will find much to enjoy on this vital, messy masterpiece.--Mike McGonigal