No, he isn’t.
Okay, everyone, please forget I even mentioned Kanye. Seriously. Let’s replace him with Nas or Andre 3000 or, hell, how about Chuck D? Sheesh, I’m now embarassed I ever put him in the list. How obvious is it that I am no connoisseur of that genre? LOL.
I would say Oberst is today’s best lyricist. Also, to those who say his words are suicidal or just dark haven’t heard everything. For the most part his music has uplifted me. He has written some of the most life-affirming songs I’ve heard, such as Bowl of Oranges, First Day of my Life, I Believe in Sympathy etc. Also, for a young man, he has a lot of wisdom. Beautiful stuff.
David Eggers is the best writer of our time…..Conor Oberst doesn’t come close to the greatest songwriter though. Neither does Darnielle or Ryan Adams. Bob Dylan is still the best.
If we’re talking writers of prose, José Saramago is our greatest living writer.
hamilton
I’d say Ryan Adams is a better songwriter than Oberst. Best song writer of the times is either John Darnielle or Adams.
…all opinion though…