For those already acquainted with Bright Eyes and scratching their heads over the connection with Desaparecidos, the link is easy to explain: Bright Eyes founder and mastermind Connor Oberst is also the leader in Desaparecidos. The new five-piece rock band has been out supporting their debut album, Read Music/Speak Spanish, and will continue touring until August 9.

In some ways, the Desaparecidos seem to offer Oberst an outlet for his pent-up post-adolescent rage. The subject matter his second band attacks – urban development, new American Dream, the sacrifice of human value for the dollar bill – differs vastly from Bright Eyes’ nostalgic love letters. And yet, Oberst’s stamp is present in the vocals and song structures.

The Desaparecidos formed a couple of years ago and take their name, which translates as “the disappeared,” from the shady South American practice of kidnapping political dissidents and making them disappear.

The Bright Eyes, on the other hand, aren’t nearly as political. Instead, they stick to ruminations on Oberst’s love life and his worries about the future. The group’s fourth album, Lifted Or The Story Is In The Soil, Keep Your Ear To The Ground, is set for release August 13, one month before they embark on a national tour.

Folkie M. Ward and the Bruces support on all dates, which span through the end of October.

At the ripe old age of 14, Oberst was the singer and guitarist in Commander Venus. After two albums, the band broke up and he went on to form Bright Eyes. As if it wasn’t enough to be a teenager at the helm of a buzzing indie band, Oberst and his bandmates formed their own record label, Saddle Creek. The imprint is now home to artists including The Faint, Cursive, Azure Ray, and Sorry About Dresden.

Lifted, Or The Story Is In The Soil, etc., follows Bright Eyes’ acclaimed Fevers And Mirrors.