Okkervil River - The Stage Names

The buzz on this one started early. Way back in January the artsy-fartsy's were declaring Okkervil River's upcoming "The Stage Names" to be the album of the year!! Being not really artsy, and only slightly fartsy, I can't say that I put too much stock in statements like that. I've always liked Okkervil River, and they have some songs that I even downright LOVE, but so far they have never put out anything worthy of album of the yearness. "Black Sheep Boy" was really danged good however and, if you're at all interested, you've already heard the brilliant song "Our Life Is Not A Movie or Maybe," which is an excellent choice for a taste whetting preview. Well, the album was released officially yesterday and I've listened to it 5 times already! I'll let a few months pass before I start making too many declarations, but it's definitely in the running for my favorite of the year. The album opens with the aforementioned delight, and then is followed up with "Unless It Kicks" which starts with a slightly Stones-y riff before rocking out in more of a classic U2 circa "Two Hearts..." vibe. The album continues excitedly solid with another rocker before mellowing out with a few delicate and thought-provoking tunes that display, yet again, Will Sheff's literary prowess. The third of the three part foray into serenity is "A Girl In Port," an absolutely moving song that builds and builds into its brassy climax. It's a truly epic song, and probably my personal favorite on the album. The album closer is "John Allyn Smith Sails" which culminates with a modern rendering of "Sloop John B," the perfect closer to any album as far as I'm concerned. Whereas The Beach Boys made that song sound incredibly happy, Sheff makes it a little bit more morose, yet still somewhat hopeful.

Up until now, The White Stripes, Charlotte Gainsbourg, St Vincent and The National have been duking it out to be my number one pick of the year, but if my enthusiasm for this one sticks around, then we may just have a current reigning champion. (I never bothered reviewing The National simply because by the time I discovered its brilliance, every other blogger and their gardener had already said what I wanted to say. But, um, it's, er, brilliant, yah!) Still, the predictions for Okkervil were right. "The Stage Names" is stupendous and at 41 minutes, it also never overstays its welcome. Truly phenomenal.

Okkervil River will be at Lee's Palace on Friday Sept. 21st. Tix are only $13.50.

Download:
Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe mp3

Okkervil River on myspace
Purchase "The Stage Names" on Amazon.ca