Luck of the Draw: Bright Eyes’ ‘Five Dice, All Threes’

Content warning: Suicidal ideations.

Is life just one big game of luck? Indie Rock band Bright Eyes seems to think so.

Poignant vocals contemplating mortality and nihilism offset theatrical instrumentation on Bright Eyes’ tenth studio album, “Five Dice, All Threes,” released Sept. 20.

Following a nine-year hiatus that ended in 2020, the band’s sound has shifted. Lead singer Conor Oberst’s signature punk vocals and esoteric lyricism remains as bold as ever — yet the production has become more experimental. Hazy, acoustic landscapes entwined with zany dialogue blurbs create a sound encompassing the band’s eccentricity.

The first track, “Five Dice,” is an eerie passage through the past and present. Overlapping dialogue describes a person learning how to play Threes, a luck-based dice game that inspired the album’s title. Abrupt splices of old movie lines over the sound of rolling dice follow, creating an uneasy ambiance.

“Bells and Whistles” was released in June — the band’s first single since 2021. The song’s animated chords and sporadic subject matter contrast the perturbing aura of the previous track. The lyrics emphasize the joy and consequences of life’s cheap thrills while airy whistles present an unexpected brightness, enriching Oberst’s storytelling.

“El Capitan” is an ode to a picturesque romance turned sour — a track reminiscent of the instrumentals found in their 2005 album “Digital Ash in a Digital Urn.” Band member Mike Mogis’ deep bass and crashing drums illustrate Oberst’s flippant mentality concerning his fizzled relationship.

“I thought that we were twins and lovers and we shared one mind / Until it turned transparent and blatant and serpentine,” Oberst sings. 

Stand-out track “Bas Jan Ader” refers to the Dutch performance artist who disappeared while attempting to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a small sailboat. A buoyant blend of bass and drums accompanies the lyrics, producing a sense of contentment moments after exiting an overwhelming world. 

“Well it takes a lot of nerve to live on planet Earth / It was the best of times, it was the worst of times / It was the worst,” Oberst sings. 

“Tiny Suicides” covers the small, but significant agonies people face every day. Themes of nihilism, alcohol use and depression bind together in a somber symphony, accentuated by Oberst’s mournful vocals.

“All Threes” features indie rock artist Cat Power. The track’s alluring jazz accompaniment is a first for Bright Eyes, who rarely stray from their rock roots. Power’s paradisiacal vocals contrast well with Oberst’s prosaic delivery. The song illustrates how one’s experiences can all bleed together, thus imprisoning them in their mortality.

“Elon Musk / In virgin whites / I kill him in an alley over five dice,” Oberst and Power sing.

With five dice representing a perfect roll, they position the tech billionaire as merely lucky.

The turmoil of intrusive thoughts and anxiety screams in “Rainbow Overpass,” which features Alex Orange Drink — the solo moniker for Alex Levine, lead singer of punk band The So So Glos. Energetic bursts of guitar and catchy verses simulate an explosive climax for the album. 

Oberst’s nihilism culminates in “Hate,” a song dedicated to his distaste for organized religion. Mogis utilizes pinch harmonics, the squealing noise made by guitar distortion, to amplify the feeling of disdain.

In “Real Feel 105°,” Oberst apologizes to an unknown person for pushing his suicidal ideations onto them. A clamorous instrumental break of guitar and banjo provides a release for Oberst’s dejection.

“I was selfish and cruel, to have put that on you / Oh, where you saw a rope swing, I saw a noose,” Oberst sings. 

While fitting, the spinning turntables on “Spun Out” take away from the track’s commentary on suicide, leading it to come across as tacky. The instrumental is saved by band member Nate Walcott’s dizzying piano and Mogis’ vigorous bass.

“Trains Still Run on Time” refers to a debunked myth the trains in Italy ran on time under fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. An upbeat composition of punchy drums and guitar meld, with discourse on America’s infatuation with mass production.

“Made in America / On an assembly line / Where they make mass hysteria / Yeah it’s all streamlined,” Oberst sings. 

Brooding questions on mortality stand out as the main theme of the album’s second half. “The Time I Have Left” features Matt Berninger, lead singer of indie rock band The National. Berninger’s distinctly melancholic voice works well with remarks on an inevitable death.

“Tin Soldier Boy” closes the album with a doom-ridden anthem and a final nudge to mortality. Walcott’s trumpet sings along to the tune, creating an almost cinematic experience.

The album’s varying instrumentation amplifies the experience by bringing energy to lyrics soaked in abject misery. The artful lyrics and spirited vocals that elevated Bright Eyes to popularity are present in “Five Dice, All Threes,” plus a more energizing sound — solidifying the album as a high-quality indie rock record. 
Listen to “Five Dice, All Threes” on all major streaming platforms.