A Collection of Songs Written and Recorded 1995–1997

Infobox Album
Name = A Collection of Songs Written and Recorded 1995-1997
Type = Album
Artist = Bright Eyes


Released = January 1998 (US)
Recorded = 1995-1997
Genre = Indie rock
Length = 1:07:13
Label = Saddle Creek (US) LBJ-19
Producer = --
Reviews = *Allmusic Rating|2.5|5 [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:o0o7gjtr26ib~T1 review]
Last album =
This album = "A Collection of Songs Written and Recorded 1995-1997" (1998)
Next album = "Letting Off the Happiness" (1998)

"A Collection of Songs Written and Recorded 1995-1997" is the first album by Bright Eyes.

The album has a lo-fi sound, as it was recorded onto a four-track in Oberst's basement; however, it shows the potential from Oberst in his lyrics and experimentalist instrumental tracks, providing a rough view into what was soon to follow.

This album is the 19th release of Saddle Creek Records.

Track listing

# "The Invisible Gardener" – 2:24
# "Patient Hope in New Snow" – 4:07
# "Saturday as Usual" – 3:38
# "Falling Out of Love at This Volume" – 2:17
# "Exaltation on a Cool Kitchen Floor" – 2:26
# "The Awful Sweetness of Escaping Sweat" – 4:05
# "Puella Quam Amo Est Pulchra" – 3:11
# "Driving Fast Through a Big City at Night" – 2:11
# "How Many Lights Do You See?" – 3:31
# "I Watched You Taking Off" – 3:57
# "A Celebration Upon Completion" – 4:15
# "Emily, Sing Something Sweet" – 3:01
# "All of the Truth" – 3:44
# "One Straw (Please)" – 2:49
# "Lila" – 2:51
# "A Few Minutes on Friday" – 4:08
# "Supriya" – 2:29
# "Solid Jackson" – 4:31
# "Feb. 15th" – 4:06
# "The 'Feel Good' Revolution" – 3:31

List of Musicians

* Conor Oberst - Wrote and performed the majority of the songs.
* Ted Stevens - Plays drums on "The Awful Sweetness of Escaping Sweat".
* Todd Fink - Recorded and drummed on "A Celebration Upon Completion".
* M. Bowen - Played drums on "One Straw (Please)".
* Neely Jenkins - Backup vocals on "Feb. 15th".
* Matthew Oberst, Sr. - Played guitar on "The 'Feel Good' Revolution"

Trivia

* The song, "Puella Quam Amo Est Pulchra" translates to "The girl I love is beautiful" in Latin.
* The album was dedicated to Conor Oberst's parents.
* The song, "Feb. 15" is about his birthday. A full-band version is featured on the Noise Floor rarities album.