Album: Water

Introduction
"Water" is the launching album by American singer-songwriter Conor Oberst, released independently in 1993 when Oberst was only 13 years old. Known for his work as the frontman of the indie rock band Bright Eyes, Oberst has actually developed himself as one of the most respected and prominent musicians in the indie music scene. With deeply reflective lyrics and a fondness for storytelling, Oberst's "Water" functions as a structure for the poetic and psychological songwriting for which he would become known.

Background and Recording
Conor Oberst started playing music at a really young age, inspired by the similarity Simon and Garfunkel and The Beatles. At the age of 13, he taped the 10 songs that would comprise "Water" on a four-track cassette recorder in his moms and dads' Omaha, Nebraska house.

Most of the songs were recorded by Oberst himself, with his sibling Matt Oberst and pal Ted Stevens contributing guitar, bass, and drum parts on some tracks. The DIY nature of the recording procedure appears in the lo-fi sound of the album, offering it a raw and intimate feel.

Music and Lyrics
The album explores numerous musical designs, varying from acoustic folk tunes to more experimental, punk-influenced tracks. Oberst's lyrics, even at a young age, are introspective and mentally charged, dealing with themes of love, loss, and self-discovery.

"Water" opens with the melancholic "Infidel", a song about the intricacies of love. The track showcases Oberst's haunting, trembling vocals and intricate fingerpicking on the acoustic guitar. The following song, "Scorpion", takes a darker turn with its heavy distortion and bleak lyrics about a toxic relationship.

"Happy Funeral Song" is an acoustic ballad that tackles the tough topic of mortality, functioning as a suggestion to value the ephemeral nature of life. In contrast, "Desert Song" is an uplifting track about finding solace in privacy and the vastness of the desert landscape.

One of the standout tracks on the album is "Purple Chin", a faster, punk-influenced tune that showcases Oberst's adaptability as an artist. The song is a furious and disorderly evaluation of youthful rebellion and defiance.

Tradition and Influence
"Water" may not have gotten the same level of crucial praise as some of Oberst's later releases, however it is a crucial artifact in the career of a musician who would go on to turn into one of the crucial figures in the indie music scene. This album acts as an example of how raw talent and imagination can shine through, even in the most lo-fi of scenarios.

In the years following "Water", Oberst continued to develop his songwriting abilities and made a reputation for his enthusiastic live performances. He formed Bright Eyes in 1995 and released the band's launching album "A Collection of Songs Written and Recorded 1995-1997" in 1998, which showcased a more refined and fully grown sound. Bright Eyes went on to launch numerous seriously acclaimed albums, strengthening Oberst's credibility as a leading voice in indie rock and folk music.

In conclusion, "Water" is a compelling look into the early starts and unfiltered skill of an artist whose imagination would ultimately make a substantial impact on the indie music landscape. Though it remains lesser-known compared to his later work, Conor Oberst's debut album is a raw, intimate, and effective expedition of love, loss, and self-discovery that demonstrated his potential as a fascinating singer-songwriter.