Conor Oberst is a victim. My perception of this is probably colored by the fact that he’s spent the last 10 years or so articulating his victimization at the hands of the world onstage as Bright Eyes.

This story was originally published in the January 27, 2005 issue of Rolling Stone. Twenty four year-old Conor Oberst pulls the overlong sleeve of his brown striped sweater over one hand and musses ...