Conor Oberst is prolific and evolving. The Nebraskan Indie hero kicks off his latest LP with a by now characteristic spoken word piece (or lunatic’s sermon, depending on your worldview).

This signals both his pretentiousness and ambition, and may leave some cold. His own lyrics also dispense with the anger and emotion of his earlier work in favour of more slippery, allegorical creations.

More likely to repel than draw the listener in, it is at least less dense than Cassadaga, the album that proceeded it. The highlights come early. Shell Games best shows off the band’s muscular energy, with some clever drumming from a revolving cast, while Jejune Stars could top the alternative music charts with fine hooks, frenetic breaks and eye-catching words. It should be a fantastic proposition live. For the most part, despite the great band, the material doesn’t reach it’s intended lofty heights.