Four Winds
Encyclopedia
Four Winds is an EP
by the indie rock
band Bright Eyes, that was released on March 6, 2007. The title track is the first single
from their album Cassadaga
. The other 5 tracks are exclusive b-sides
from the 2006 recording sessions. It is marketed as being "quietly enchanting" and including "a wandering country charm and all of the story-telling seductiveness of earlier work. The fiddle refrain in the verse utilizes a melody identical to that of the vocal refrain ("Na, na na, na na na na") in Joan Baez
's rendition of "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
." The song "Four Winds" was ranked #5 on Rolling Stone
The title song makes several references to "The Second Coming
" by William Butler Yeats
, most famously in the refrain, which references "slouching towards Bethlehem."
On January 22, 2007, it was leaked onto the internet. The track "Smoke Without Fire" features guest vocals from singer-songwriter
M. Ward
.
for a rowdy crowd. It includes Oberst on vocals and lead guitar, Mike Mogis
on second guitar, Nate Walcott
on organ, Anton Patzner
on fiddle, Daniel J. McCarthy on bass, and Maria Taylor
on drums. Although audibly present on the recordings, there is no mandolinist on stage. As the song progresses, the band is increasingly booed
off the stage, and objects are thrown at the stage.
Directed by Patrick Daughters
, the video was filmed in a large tent in Los Angeles
' Elysian Park
in early February. Several days before filming, a notice was sent to Bright Eyes fans in the area inviting them to participate in the video as extras. Several extras were chosen to shout obscenities at the band, many of which are heard directly in the video. The audience was given a variety of objects to throw at the band, such as popcorn
, hot dogs, glowsticks, fuzzy dice
, cups, and licorice. Many of the objects hit the band members during filming, but no one was harmed during the course of the afternoon.
Upon the filming's conclusion, Oberst noted that one particular heckler
had frightened him "all evening." To make amends, Oberst invited the heckler onstage for a hug.
From Book 1, Chapter 1 of The Key of Solomon:
The square in the background with seemingly random letters, is one of a series of squares that represent "the shining ones", 7 Gods of Olympus that each rule their own day of the week and planet. This particular square is called "The Square of Blumaza" and it represents "Monday" and "The Moon". Each God has power over certain desires. In this case, the Olympic for Monday and the Moon is Artemis
and the desires that she rules are "virginity/fertility, and the hunt" as well as anything related to air.
The words on the inside front and rear cover are Hebrew names used as inscriptions on "The Brazen Vessel" which is "a brass vessel with an inscription around it to raise it from a mundane object into a Magikal tool."
, except where noted.
rock band
The Killers recorded a cover version of the song. This version was released as a B-side to "Spaceman
", the second single from their third album, Day & Age.
The song is featured in the soundtrack of the 2008 movie Cloverfield
.
liked the title track, commenting that the formula used that made the previous double album I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
/Digital Ash in a Digital Urn
so popular worked even better. He continued by saying that "not many other singers today - maybe Win Butler
, could get away with so many mentions of both the Whore of Babylon
and the Great Satan in one song", and that ""Four Winds" is the rare protest song that actually tries to present an epic vision of America and succeeds". However, Deusner lamented the remaining tracks "pulling it in different directions, but nothing else hits the mark so squarely-- or really at all.", and the progressive "shaky" songwriting and general scope. Overall, he rated the release 5.9/10.
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
by the indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band Bright Eyes, that was released on March 6, 2007. The title track is the first single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
from their album Cassadaga
Cassadaga (album)
Cassadaga is the seventh studio album by Bright Eyes, released on April 10, 2007. Around 25 to 30 songs were recorded in 2006, with 13 of these appearing on the final track list...
. The other 5 tracks are exclusive b-sides
B-Sides
B-Sides is an iTunes-exclusive album from the Coventry Trio The Enemy, consisting of ten songs that were B-sides to the single releases from their debut album We'll Live and Die in These Towns.-Track list:#Fear Killed the Youth of Our Nation...
from the 2006 recording sessions. It is marketed as being "quietly enchanting" and including "a wandering country charm and all of the story-telling seductiveness of earlier work. The fiddle refrain in the verse utilizes a melody identical to that of the vocal refrain ("Na, na na, na na na na") in Joan Baez
Joan Baez
Joan Chandos Baez is an American folk singer, songwriter, musician and a prominent activist in the fields of human rights, peace and environmental justice....
's rendition of "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
"The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" is a song written by Canadian musician Robbie Robertson, first recorded by The Band in 1969 and released on their self-titled second album. Joan Baez' cover of the song was a top-five chart hit in late 1971....
." The song "Four Winds" was ranked #5 on Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
The title song makes several references to "The Second Coming
The Second Coming (poem)
"The Second Coming" is a poem composed by Irish poet William Butler Yeats in 1919 and first printed in The Dial and afterwards included in his 1921 collection of verses titled Michael Robartes and the Dancer. The poem uses Christian imagery regarding the Apocalypse and second coming as allegory to...
" by William Butler Yeats
William Butler Yeats
William Butler Yeats was an Irish poet and playwright, and one of the foremost figures of 20th century literature. A pillar of both the Irish and British literary establishments, in his later years he served as an Irish Senator for two terms...
, most famously in the refrain, which references "slouching towards Bethlehem."
On January 22, 2007, it was leaked onto the internet. The track "Smoke Without Fire" features guest vocals from singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
M. Ward
M. Ward
Matthew Stephen Ward, known by his stage name M. Ward, is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who rose to prominence in the Portland, Oregon music scene. In addition to his solo work he is known as a member of She & Him and Monsters of Folk.-Career:...
.
Musicians
- Conor OberstConor OberstConor Mullen Oberst is an American singer-songwriter best known for his work in Bright Eyes. He has also played in several other bands, including Desaparecidos, Norman Bailer , Commander Venus, Park Ave., Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, and Monsters of Folk.-Musical career:Oberst began...
- Guitar, Vocals - Mike MogisMike MogisMike Mogis is a Nebraskan producer/engineer and multi-instrumentalist who, along with his brother A.J. Mogis, founded Presto! Recording Studios ....
- Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo, Bass, Half Guitar, Lap Steel, Castanets - Nate WalcottNate WalcottNate Walcott is a trumpet, flugelhorn and keyboard player who has appeared on several of Saddle Creek Records artists' albums. He is one of three permanent members of Bright Eyes, along with Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis, and has toured with Bright Eyes....
- Organ, Wurlitzer, Piano, Flugelhorn - Dan McCarthy - Bass
- Jason BoeselJason BoeselJason Boesel was the drummer for Rilo Kiley and has also played with The Elected. He also drummed in the Bright Eyes touring band during their 2005 tour, and went on to write the liner notes for the consequent Bright Eyes live album, Motion Sickness and contributing to Bright Eyes' 2007 record,...
- Drums - Anton PatznerAnton PatznerAnton Patzner is a violinist, composer and arranger who is a founding member of Judgement Day, has been featured on several major label and indie label records, frequently tours with Bright Eyes and Audrye Sessions and has also toured with Mates of State, The Faint, dredg, Margot and the Nuclear So...
- Violin - Maria TaylorMaria TaylorMaria Diane Taylor is an American singer/songwriter from Birmingham, Alabama. She is also a member of the duo Azure Ray with Orenda Fink, as well as the band Now It's Overhead, both of which are signed with Saddle Creek Records...
- Vocals, Drums - Andy LeMasterAndy LeMasterAndy LeMaster is an American singer-songwriter and producer/engineer from Athens, Georgia. His primary band is Now It's Overhead. LeMaster has engineered, produced, and performed in many of the releases on the Saddle Creek label, including records by Bright Eyes, Now It's Overhead, Azure Ray,...
- Vocals - M. WardM. WardMatthew Stephen Ward, known by his stage name M. Ward, is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who rose to prominence in the Portland, Oregon music scene. In addition to his solo work he is known as a member of She & Him and Monsters of Folk.-Career:...
- Guitar, Harmonica, Baritone, Vocals - Janet WeissJanet WeissJanet Lee Weiss was the drummer of now defunct Sleater-Kinney and is currently a member of Quasi and Wild Flag. She was the drummer for Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, leaving after the album Mirror Traffic.-Early life:...
- Drums, Vocals - Stacy DuPreeStacy DuPreeStacy Lynn DuPree is the keyboardist and one of the lead vocalists in the indie pop band Eisley. She is also credited the writing of the band's lyrics along with her sister Sherri.-Biography:...
- Vocals - Sherri DuPreeSherri DuPreeSherri Kay DuPree-Bemis is a vocalist, guitarist and lyricist for the band Eisley.-Career:Three of her siblings, Chauntelle, Stacy and Weston are also members of Eisley, along with her cousin, Garron. Her youngest sister Christie has performed with them live as well...
- Vocals - Z Berg - Vocals
- Rachel Yamagata - Vocals
- Mike CoykendallMike CoykendallMike Coykendall is a musician and studio engineer. He released three critically acclaimed albums with San Francisco's Old Joe Clarks before moving to Portland, Oregon in 1999. He set up a home studio, and has recorded such luminaries as M Ward, Richmond Fontaine, Beth Orton, Tin Hat Trio, Bright Eyes...
- Autoharp - Ben KwellerBen KwellerBen Kweller is an American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.-Early life:Ben Kweller was born in San Francisco, CA in 1981. In 1982, his family relocated to Emory, Texas, where his father, Howard Kweller, became the town's first doctor. In 1986, the Kwellers moved to a much larger city,...
- Piano, Vocals - David RawlingsDavid RawlingsDavid Todd Rawlings is a professional guitarist and singer. He is best known as the longtime musical partner of bluegrass singer-songwriter Gillian Welch.David attended the Berklee College of Music and studied with guitar professor Lauren Passarelli....
- Guitar - Tim Luntzel - Bass
- Rob HawkinsRob HawkinsRob Hawkins is a rugby union player for Leicester Tigers in the Aviva Premiership.Hawkins' position of choice is as a hooker. Hawkins represented England at Under 21 level.-Club career:...
- Vocals - Clint Wheeler - Shiny Cowboy Boots
Music video
The music video for "Four Winds" shows the band playing at a state fairState fair
A state fair is a competitive and recreational gathering of a U.S. state's population. It is a larger version of a county fair, often including only exhibits or competitors that have won in their categories at the more-local county fairs....
for a rowdy crowd. It includes Oberst on vocals and lead guitar, Mike Mogis
Mike Mogis
Mike Mogis is a Nebraskan producer/engineer and multi-instrumentalist who, along with his brother A.J. Mogis, founded Presto! Recording Studios ....
on second guitar, Nate Walcott
Nate Walcott
Nate Walcott is a trumpet, flugelhorn and keyboard player who has appeared on several of Saddle Creek Records artists' albums. He is one of three permanent members of Bright Eyes, along with Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis, and has toured with Bright Eyes....
on organ, Anton Patzner
Anton Patzner
Anton Patzner is a violinist, composer and arranger who is a founding member of Judgement Day, has been featured on several major label and indie label records, frequently tours with Bright Eyes and Audrye Sessions and has also toured with Mates of State, The Faint, dredg, Margot and the Nuclear So...
on fiddle, Daniel J. McCarthy on bass, and Maria Taylor
Maria Taylor
Maria Diane Taylor is an American singer/songwriter from Birmingham, Alabama. She is also a member of the duo Azure Ray with Orenda Fink, as well as the band Now It's Overhead, both of which are signed with Saddle Creek Records...
on drums. Although audibly present on the recordings, there is no mandolinist on stage. As the song progresses, the band is increasingly booed
Booing
Booing is an act of showing displeasure for someone or something, generally an entertainer, by loudly yelling boo! or making other noises of disparagement, such as hissing. People may make hand signs at the entertainer, such as the thumbs down sign...
off the stage, and objects are thrown at the stage.
Directed by Patrick Daughters
Patrick Daughters
Patrick Daughters is an American music video and commercial director currently signed to The Directors Bureau, after departing Black Dog Films in late 2006....
, the video was filmed in a large tent in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
' Elysian Park
Elysian Park, Los Angeles, California
Elysian Park is a park and adjacent neighborhood in the City of Los Angeles, California.Encompassing Chavez Ravine where Dodger Stadium is located, Elysian Park is mostly a hillside community that is also home to the Los Angeles Police Academy....
in early February. Several days before filming, a notice was sent to Bright Eyes fans in the area inviting them to participate in the video as extras. Several extras were chosen to shout obscenities at the band, many of which are heard directly in the video. The audience was given a variety of objects to throw at the band, such as popcorn
Popcorn
Popcorn, or popping corn, is corn which expands from the kernel and puffs up when heated. Corn is able to pop because, like sorghum, quinoa and millet, its kernels have a hard moisture-sealed hull and a dense starchy interior. This allows pressure to build inside the kernel until an explosive...
, hot dogs, glowsticks, fuzzy dice
Fuzzy dice
Fuzzy dice, known in the British Isles as furry dice or fluffy dice, are an automotive decoration consisting of two over-sized plush dice which hang from the rear-view mirror.-Origin and history:...
, cups, and licorice. Many of the objects hit the band members during filming, but no one was harmed during the course of the afternoon.
Upon the filming's conclusion, Oberst noted that one particular heckler
Heckler
A heckler is a person who harass and try to disconcert others with questions, challenges, or gibes.Hecklers are often known to shout disparaging comments at a performance or event, or interrupts set-piece speeches, for example at a political meeting, with intent to disturb its performers or...
had frightened him "all evening." To make amends, Oberst invited the heckler onstage for a hug.
Cover art
The cover of the Four Winds EP seems to be full of religious and mythical references. The words IEOVA, EHEIIE, ELIION, and ELOA are Hebrew names "of supreme importance in the list of the Sephiroth and their sovereign equivalents." They are used in conjuring spells in "The Key of Solomon", the "most famous and important of all Grimoires, or handbooks of Magic." The Key of Solomon seems to focus a lot on planetary invocation and alignment.From Book 1, Chapter 1 of The Key of Solomon:
Solomon, the son of David, King of Israel, hath said that the beginning of our Key is to fear God, to adore him, to honour him with contrition of heart, to invoke him in all matters which we wish to undertake, and to operate with very great devotion, for thus God will lead us in the right way. When, therefore, thou shalt wish to acquire the knowledge of magical arts and sciences, it is necessary to have prepared the order of hours and of days, and of the position of the Moon, without the operation of which thou canst effect nothing; but if thou observest them with diligence thou mayest easily and thoroughly arrive at the effect and end which thou desirest to attain.
The square in the background with seemingly random letters, is one of a series of squares that represent "the shining ones", 7 Gods of Olympus that each rule their own day of the week and planet. This particular square is called "The Square of Blumaza" and it represents "Monday" and "The Moon". Each God has power over certain desires. In this case, the Olympic for Monday and the Moon is Artemis
Artemis
Artemis was one of the most widely venerated of the Ancient Greek deities. Her Roman equivalent is Diana. Some scholars believe that the name and indeed the goddess herself was originally pre-Greek. Homer refers to her as Artemis Agrotera, Potnia Theron: "Artemis of the wildland, Mistress of Animals"...
and the desires that she rules are "virginity/fertility, and the hunt" as well as anything related to air.
The words on the inside front and rear cover are Hebrew names used as inscriptions on "The Brazen Vessel" which is "a brass vessel with an inscription around it to raise it from a mundane object into a Magikal tool."
Track listing
All songs written by Conor OberstConor Oberst
Conor Mullen Oberst is an American singer-songwriter best known for his work in Bright Eyes. He has also played in several other bands, including Desaparecidos, Norman Bailer , Commander Venus, Park Ave., Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, and Monsters of Folk.-Musical career:Oberst began...
, except where noted.
- "Four Winds" – 4:16
- "Reinvent the Wheel" – 3:33
- "Smoke Without Fire" (Oberst, M. WardM. WardMatthew Stephen Ward, known by his stage name M. Ward, is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who rose to prominence in the Portland, Oregon music scene. In addition to his solo work he is known as a member of She & Him and Monsters of Folk.-Career:...
) – 4:59 - "Stray Dog Freedom" (feat. Ben KwellerBen KwellerBen Kweller is an American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.-Early life:Ben Kweller was born in San Francisco, CA in 1981. In 1982, his family relocated to Emory, Texas, where his father, Howard Kweller, became the town's first doctor. In 1986, the Kwellers moved to a much larger city,...
) – 5:14 - "Cartoon Blues" – 3:54
- "Tourist Trap" – 5:44
In popular culture
In 2009, Las VegasLas Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
rock band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
The Killers recorded a cover version of the song. This version was released as a B-side to "Spaceman
Spaceman (The Killers song)
"Spaceman" is a song by Las Vegas-based Indie rock band The Killers. The song was released as the second single from the band's third studio album Day & Age on November 4, 2008, as a digital download on iTunes, and as 7" and promo CD in the US, Canada and UK. It has been released to radio in...
", the second single from their third album, Day & Age.
The song is featured in the soundtrack of the 2008 movie Cloverfield
Cloverfield
Cloverfield is a 2008 American disaster-monster film directed by Matt Reeves, produced by J. J. Abrams and written by Drew Goddard.The film follows six young New Yorkers attending a going-away party on the night that a gigantic monster attacks the city...
.
Reception
The EP received mixed reviews in various publications. Stephen Deusner of Pitchfork MediaPitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
liked the title track, commenting that the formula used that made the previous double album I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning is one of two Bright Eyes albums released on January 25, 2005, by Saddle Creek Records.-Songs:The music video for "First Day of My Life" was directed by John Cameron Mitchell....
/Digital Ash in a Digital Urn
Digital Ash in a Digital Urn
Digital Ash in a Digital Urn is one of two Bright Eyes albums released on January 25, 2005 by Saddle Creek Records. It peaked at #15 in the US and #43 in the UK...
so popular worked even better. He continued by saying that "not many other singers today - maybe Win Butler
Win Butler
Win Butler is the lead vocalist and songwriter of the Montreal-based indie rock band Arcade Fire. His wife Régine Chassagne and his brother William Butler are both members of the band.-Life and career:...
, could get away with so many mentions of both the Whore of Babylon
Whore of Babylon
The Whore of Babylon or "Babylon the great" is a Christian allegorical figure of evil mentioned in the Book of Revelation in the Bible. Her full title is given as "Babylon the Great, the Mother of Prostitutes and Abominations of the Earth." -Symbolism:...
and the Great Satan in one song", and that ""Four Winds" is the rare protest song that actually tries to present an epic vision of America and succeeds". However, Deusner lamented the remaining tracks "pulling it in different directions, but nothing else hits the mark so squarely-- or really at all.", and the progressive "shaky" songwriting and general scope. Overall, he rated the release 5.9/10.