^
I think those lyrics are great compared to some of the crap some people have out right now.
Seriously, I didn't even look at Eminem's new music video but it's called "Ass Like That".
I bet it's like stonedpath's hip-hop lyrics in the song writing forum.

That passage you posted is metaphorical.
I don't think Conor Oberst would just write meaningless lyrics into his heartfelt songs. I mean come on buddy, if Pitchfork is praising him then it's definitely not for his piano work, I can tell you that much.

What I got out of that passage was..
I knew a beautiful girl, with too much confidence, and every man wanted her, and so did I.
But she died because all she ever saw were looks and she didn't think she looked good enough.
Men with dark souls carry flamboyant weapons to hurt others and become known.
They will kill a man for no reason, only to gain fear and respect from others.
I don't care if the men want to kill me or not.

Now I'd be interested to finish this story but you were too afraid to post the whole song or something.
I'm not even that into Bright Eyes, but I can tell you have bad taste in music if you can't enjoy deciphering a metaphor.
(Refer to Thrice's comment on respecting music on page 89 of The Music Handbook)

Then who are they aimed at?
47 year old men?

47 year old men pretending to be females under the age of 18 online....

i like bright eyes.. im fifteen.

i bet youre a dirty old man in real life....

Well, I love Bright Eyes. Beautiful lyrics, meaningful and melancholic, I like that. Although I'm afraid that Connor Oberst will commit suicide soon...

^ ohhh, i hope not. i <3 him. and yeah Bright Eyes are awesome. and yeah, me....15.

I like his lyrics. The voice in some ways. The actual SOUND of it all is just nonsense.





But what do I know?

Everything. You are God after all.

:)