Bright Eyes, no longer burning for Bush...

Never usually one to shy away from speaking his political mind, Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst has nevertheless gone on record as saying that his next album will not be dominated by lyrical opinions on the subject.

Currently working alongside Mike Mogis on the new record - slated for an early 2007 release - Oberst told MTV:

"I don't think there's going to be any more overtly political stuff. I mean, obviously, we need to have some kind of change in the mid-term elections and in the next presidential election, but when I sing the songs now, it's like shooting fish in a barrel. It's too easy.

"Everyone knows we have an incompetent administration. Back in 2003, 2004, it was different. The idea of going out now and hitting people over the head with it doesn't appeal to me because I feel that people are coming around."

The new album is expected to be finished before the end of the year, and guests include Janet Weiss of Sleater-Kinney and My Morning Jacket's Jim James.

Oberst added:

"The songs reflect all the things we're into: the folky, storytelling aspect of the music, the psychedelic studio vibe and the rock we all grew up doing. We have a lot of ideas.

"I bought a new house and we're building the studio there, to finish the record. Mike and I have connecting houses, with the studio in between. It's like a compound."