"'I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning' came out in 2005, Conor Oberst’s folky foil to Bright Eyes’ concurrent release, the electronic experiments of 'Digital Ash in a Digital Urn.' Its distinct placement in an Americana lineage takes center stage, from the detailed, no-holds-barred vulnerability in its storytelling to gripping vocal appearances from Emmylou Harris. For many, it’s looked fondly upon as the well-worn soundtrack to a distinct coming-of-age period, much like the time of exploration Oberst chronicles across the songs on the album, where even the mundane is something worthy of marveling at."