The People's Key
Encyclopedia
A limited edition deluxe packaging edition contains mp3 file samples of various Saddle Creek artists.
However, Drowned In Sound and NME gave the album 9 out of 10 and 8 out of 10 respectively, with NME calling it a "sleek electro-tinged classic" and praising Oberst's more electric musical direction, saying it brought a "fresh strain of Bright Eyes record". The album debuted at number 13 on the Billboard 200, and made it to number 7 on the Alternative Albums chart. The People's Key also reached number 46 on the UK Albums Chart.
Reception
The People's Key has received mixed to positive critical reception. Allmusic praised its smaller scale and gave the album 3 and a 1/2 out of 5 stars. Pitchfork gave the album 5 out of 10 and criticized the 'impersonal' feel of the songs, yet praised "Ladder Song". Slant Magazine gave the album 2 out of a possible 5 stars. No Ripcord gave the album a 60 and commented, "There's not a lot fundamentally wrong with The People's Key; it's just that we know Bright Eyes can do better."However, Drowned In Sound and NME gave the album 9 out of 10 and 8 out of 10 respectively, with NME calling it a "sleek electro-tinged classic" and praising Oberst's more electric musical direction, saying it brought a "fresh strain of Bright Eyes record". The album debuted at number 13 on the Billboard 200, and made it to number 7 on the Alternative Albums chart. The People's Key also reached number 46 on the UK Albums Chart.
Charts and certifications
| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
55 |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
46 |
| Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
13 |
| Canadian Albums Chart Canadian Albums Chart The Canadian Albums Chart is the official album sales chart in Canada. It is compiled every Wednesday by U.S.-based music sales tracking company Nielsen Soundscan, and published every Thursday by Jam! Canoe and Billboard, along with its sister charts the Canadian Singles Chart and the Canadian BDS... |
38 |
Personnel
- Conor Oberst - Vocals (1-10), Electric Guitar (1, 3, 5, 7), Acoustic Guitar (6, 8), Piano (2, 9), Keyboards (4, 10)
- Mike Mogis - Electric Guitar (2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8), Pedal Steel (1, 4), Sound Effects (1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10), Programming (1, 2, 4, 6, 10), Percussion (4, 6)
- Nate Walcott - Synthesizers (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10), Piano (8), Organ (3, 6, 7, 10), Mellotron (1, 4)
- Andy LeMaster - Backing Vocals (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8), Electric Guitar (4, 10), Bass (10)
- Matt Maginn - Bass (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- Carla Azar - Drums, Percussion (2, 6, 8)
- Clark Baechle - Drums (1, 3, 4, 5, 7)
- Shane Asperegen - Drums (3, 10), Percussion (2)
- Laura Burhenn - Backing Vocals (4, 7, 8)
- Denny Brewer - Shamanic Vocals (1, 3, 6, 10)