Bobby B's 50 Albums Of The Decade: The Thrilling Conclusion (#5 - 1)

For ramblings on how I came to compile this list go here. And for commentary on previous selections: [#50-46] [#45-41] [#40-36] [#35-31] [#30-26] [#25-21] [#20-16] [#15-11] [#10-6]

Drum roll please....

5. Illinoise - Sufjan Stevens (2005)

Forget about simply putting out a concept album, Sufjan Stevens actually had the nerve to attempt a concept series. It appears that the fifty states, fifty albums project was most likely abandoned after this one, the second in the series, but when you've reached a pinnacle such as this, why continue? If I were to simply pick up this album without any prior knowledge, it would likely have been returned to the pile without even listening. Everything from the length of the song titles, (one song title is 53 words long) to the length of the album itself (clocking it at just under 75 minutes) would normally be too daunting a task for even one as ambitious as myself to undertake. But the hype eventually got to me, and boy, am I glad that this time, for once, the hype was right! This highly melodic history lesson of sorts has the feel of an epic movie, with all of the ingredients in tact. There's action, humor, moments that pull on the heartstrings as well as moments that make you think, not to mention villains that you boo and heroes that you cheer for. Mr. Stevens is one gifted individual, as is showcased by the fact that he can take some of the wordiest lyrics I've ever read, and combine these poetic puzzles to some of the hookiest musical accompaniment I've ever heard. There are some prize worthy melodies on this one: Decatur, Casimir Pulaski Day and the current king of road trip classics Chicago, to name a few. And the fact that the whole thing ends with such an amazing instrumental number called Out Of Egypt, Into The Great Laugh of Mankind and I Shake The Dirt From My Sandals As I Run that plays like a sonic stew of BSS, Peter Gabriel and The Mothers of Invention is like the perfect reward for sitting up and committing yourself to such an awesome album. [Myspace: Sufjan Stevens]

4. Black Sheep Boy - Okkervil River (2005)

While we're still in the vein of the highly ambitious, taking a classic Tim Hardin folk song and expanding on the song's theme by creating a full length concept album around it, would certainly fall in that category, and only the literary mind of Will Scheff would ever be able to pull that off. Normally, I'm a big believer that for a good lyrical album to work, it should be just as easy to enjoy whether one is paying attention to the lyrics or not. But this album is sort of the exception to that rule. Not that the album isn't good if you're not paying attention to the words and themes, but you really need to have the lyric sheet in front of you if you're going to be dropping this album in at number 4 on a 'best of the decade' list. The album touches on feelings of isolation and loneliness in a way that we can all relate to, no matter how popular we are (or think we are.) His ability to wax poetically while still maintaining candor and frankness cannot be an easy job, but this is exactly what he does throughout the course of the album, proving just how talented a songwriter he is. The fact that he does this so effectively makes it the type of album that can really speaks to me as I listen, to the point where I can actually see myself in the narrative. And those moments where the guitars literally blast out of the speakers are just an added bonus. [Myspace: Okkervil River]

3. The Trials Of Van Occupanther - Midlake (2006)

The opening piano notes of Roscoe are like a giant magnet that draws me in every time that I put this one on. In fact, whenever the song comes up on shuffle, it doesn't take long for me to shut off the shuffle feature and just let the album play, because you don't just listen to Roscoe and not let the rest of the album continue. That's like watching the opening scroll of Star Wars and then turning the channel. You just don't do it! The classic 70's sound of this album is an unabashed throwback, but it works so well that you just have to go with it. The album has a real earthy vibe to it, and when Tim Smith's understated vocals come in, accompanied by one of the strongest rhythm sections of the moment, I can almost smell the burning wood of a campfire, and feel the cool breeze off of the ocean. With acoustic guitars and flutes that chime like the earlier folksier output of Jethro Tull to the layered bassline and guitar backdrops that play like early to mid 70's period Fleetwood Mac, this album is sharp in beauty and rich in melody. The biggest secret to the album's success is the band's sense of control. Some of the instrumental moments at the end of the songs Head Home and We Gathered In Spring, show that the band is quite capable of bombarding us with grand progressive moments or over indulgent jam band adventures, while the vocals in songs like Young Bride and In This Camp show that Smith could probably sing the phone book if he wanted to, but the band chooses to keep things simple and accessible. Within the confines of The Trials of Van Occupanther, that approach works to their advantage and the album never overstays its welcome. [Myspace: Midlake]

2. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot - Wilco (2002)

We've all heard the story surrounding this album, making it the greatest success story in the history of indie music, as well as the defining moment when the record labels lost all credibility. But the whole adventure would not have gelled so effectively if the music on this album was not as good as it claimed to be, and the fact is, that even when listening to the album 7 years on, it's still an intoxicating beauty. The fact that all of the members of the band had the guts to take a collection of songs that would have worked just fine as subtle slices of alt-country fare, and expand them into sonically challenging art rock collages is an inspired move, and one that paid off in spades. I Am Trying To Break Your Heart is almost tear jerking, and that's amazing when you consider that the beat changes several times throughout the song, it's enshrouded in white noise and the lyrics don't really make any sense to me. There are other moments of expansive brilliance like the two songs that close the album, namely Poor Places and Reservations. Both of those songs contain atmospheric codas that, if left in lesser hands, would render the skip button necessary. Instead, they both dare you to keep listening and I don't know anyone who hasn't enjoyed the payoff that comes from doing so. Finally, to the staff of Reprise Records who claimed that the album wasn't commercial enough, I've got to know if they were even listening to tracks like I'm The Man Who Loves You, Pot Kettle Black, Heavy Metal Drummer or Jesus, Etc. because those are four of the greatest pop songs of all time, and they're all on the same album. If that doesn't equal record sales, than I don't know what does. The fact that this became Wilco's best selling album proves that they were wrong, we were right, and from that day on, this is my second favorite album of the decade and who needs them? [Myspace: Wilco]

1. You Forgot It In People - Broken Social Scene (2002)

If you follow this blog at all, then you already knew that this album had to be my number one! When I first heard it, (which incidentally was the day after I first saw them perform live) it single handedly restored my faith in the artistry of music. I had grown up listening to artists that were determined to strive beyond existing stagnant music forms, beginning that education with progressive rock, and then moving towards punk, new wave, 80's college radio and the beginnings of grunge, when suddenly, in the mid 90's I just got tired of it all. By the end of the decade, all I wanted was a good hook and a catchy pop style. That all changed when I saw Broken Social Scene play live and the celebratory nature of art rock was reawakened in me. There were something like 17 people on that stage, playing some songs that would be considered pop and other songs that would be considered avant garde. Some of the songs followed a verse chorus verse chorus format, while others were just the repeating of the same line over and over again, while yet other songs were instrumental blasts of horns and feedback. The band worked together like a well oiled machine, while each individual was contentedly admiring the talents of the guy or girl beside them and looking genuinely surprised at what was unfolding around them. What I saw on that stage was not just a band uniformly playing a collection of songs, it was a community of people that loved music and wanted not only to impress each other, but to be impressed by each other. And when I picked up this album and popped it into my CD player, the band actually managed to accomplish the seemingly impossible by transposing that energy and camaraderie to a physical disc. In my teens, I used to listen to albums repeatedly, to the point where I knew every snap crackle and pop that the cassette shot forth. By the time I hit my 20's however, those days were seemingly gone, both due to life getting in the way, and just general ADD. Again, that all changed with this album. I listened to it non stop for a couple of months, and then pulled it out weekly for a couple of years after that. It had been ages since an album had that kind of staying power for me then, and it hasn't happened for me since. There were undeniably better albums released this decade in a technical sense, but for me, where I was at the time it was released, where I was at the time that I picked it up, and where I am now, there really is no other album that comes close. This is my album. This is the one that originally motivated me to start blogging about music. This is the one that originally reawakened my desire for live music. This is the one that caused me to ignite a fire for what is going on locally. Yes, this is my favorite album of the decade. End. Gush. Now. [Myspace: Broken Social Scene]

Bobby B's 50 Albums Of The Decade Are:

1. You Forgot It In People - Broken Social Scene (2002)
2. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot - Wilco (2002)
3. The Trials of Van Occupanther - Midlake (2006)
4, Black Sheep Boy - Okkervil River (2005)
5. Illinoise - Sufjan Stevens (2005)
6. Third - Portishead (2008)
7. Man Made - Teenage Fanclub (2005)
8. Sebastopol - Jay Farrar (2001)
9. The Hazards Of Love - The Decemberists (2009)
10. Sorry Love - Pipas (2006)
11. Broken Social Scene - Broken Social Scene (2005)
12. Set Yourself On Fire - Stars (2004)
13. Smile - Brian Wilson (2004)
14. Lifted, Or The Story Is In The Soil, Keep Your Ear To The Ground - Bright Eyes (2002)
15. The Stage Names - Okkervil River (2007)
16. Love Is Hell - Ryan Adams (2004)
17. Let's Get Out Of This Country - Camera Obscura (2006)
18. I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning - Bright Eyes (2005)
19. The Crane Wife - The Decemberists (2006)
20. Gang Of Losers - The Dears (2006)
21. Boxer - The National (2007)
22. Funeral - Arcade Fire (2004)
23. Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots - The Flaming Lips (2002)
24. Destroyer's Rubies - Destroyer (2006)
25. Kid A - Radiohead (2000)
26. Let It Die - Feist (2004)
27. Fox Confessor Brings The Flood - Neko Case (2006)
28. Cryptograms - Deerhunter (2007)
29. Desperate Hearts, Blood Thirsty Babes - TV On The Radio (2004)
30. Heartbreaker - Ryan Adams (2000)
31. Figure 8 - Elliott Smith (2000)
32. A Ghost Is Born - Wilco (2004)
33. Glissandro 70 - Glissandro 70 (2006)
34. Hometowns - Rural Alberta Advantage (2008)
35. Ys - Joanna Newsom (2006)
36. Welcome Interstate Managers - Fountains of Wayne (2003)
37. You Are Free - Cat Power (2003)
38. For Emma, Forever Ago - Bon Iver (2008)
39. Icky Thump - White Stripes (2007)
40. Goodbye Doris - Fox Jaws (2007)
41. The Revolution Starts...Now - Steve Earle (2004)
42. And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out - Yo La Tengo (2000)
43. Is This It- The Strokes (2001)
44. Sunset Tree - The Mountain Goats (2005)
45. The Weekend - The Weekend (2000)
46. Left And Leavng - The Weakerthans (2000)
47. Never Hear The End Of It - Sloan (2006)
48. Writer's Block - Peter Bjorn And John (2006)
49. Everything I've Forgotten To Forget - Amos The Transparent (2007)
50. Gold - Ryan Adams (2001)

Bobby B's Top 50 Albums Of The Decade (#15-11)

For ramblings on how I came to compile this list go here. And for commentary on previous selections: [#50-46] [#45-41] [#40-36] [#35-31] [#30-26] [#25-21] [#20-16]

15. The Stage Names - Okkervil River (2007)

Okkervil River are the decade's greatest examples of combining self reflection with compelling storytelling, presenting a narrative that may or may not be autobiographical, but makes for an entertaining and tragic story either way. They've displayed this exceptionally on previous albums, but this 2007 release has taken that formula and made it rock. While most artists believe that somber lyrics should be accompanied with somber melodies, Will Scheff took the opportunity to take those ideas and turn them on their heads with an album that can easily be described as a full on rock 'n roll assault. Charging out of the gate with three rockers right off the bat, Scheff and company refuse to hold back, and the album is mostly action packed from start to end. For those moments where the album does chill out, the band does not sacrifice thrill for monotony, as songs like the album's centerpiece A Girl In Port goes epic as it builds and builds to its brassy climax. The album brings it all together in the grand finale with John Allyn Smiths Sails, a song about the tragic death of poet John Berryman, with a reworking of the traditional Sloop John B making the song sound celebratory despite the subject matter being so sad. The reason the album appeals so much to me is in its ability to seek out positivity in a sea of negativity as it celebrates death, as much as it celebrates life. [Myspace: Okkervil River]

14. Lifted, Or The Story Is In The Soil, Keep Your Ear To the Ground - Bright Eyes (2002)

Not only the most pretentious album title on the list, this album may also be in the running for being the most pretentious album on the list period, which for me, is part of what makes it so great. Although there are a couple of contrived moments, overall Oberst has never sounded so open, and on this album he sounds to me like he's seriously taking some therapeutic measures for reasons of self growth, as opposed to simply sounding angsty to sell a record. Of course, I could be wrong and easily fooled but whatever, it works for me. Originally, it was a shoo-in for my top ten, since not only have I listened to it repeatedly throughout the course of the decade, but it also contains what is probably my favorite song of the decade (the highly emotive Waste Of Paint), but upon listening to it more recently, I decided to knock it down a couple of notches in favor of a few albums that are more where I'm at right now. As I mentioned while blabbing about my #18 pick, I'm not always into what Bright Eyes is doing, and probably less so these days but when Conor is properly focused, he can really knock it out of the park. His lyricism has never been better, with odes to constant failure like Nothing Gets Crossed Out ("it's too hard to focus with all this doubt, I keep making this to-do list but nothing gets crossed out"), the human need for companionship expressed in Bowl Of Oranges ("I learned the lesson that everyone is alone and your eyes must do some raining if you are ever going to grow") and the aforementioned Waste Of Paint where his personal feelings of desperation have never come across more clearly and although his warbly vocal is not for everybody, for me it adds that extra sense of realism that I find very moving. [Myspace: Bright Eyes]

13. Smile - Brian Wilson (2004)

This masterpiece does have the unfair advantage of being 37 years in the making, as Wilson began this self proclaimed "teenage symphony to God" all the way back in 1966. Recording difficulties, his own mental breakdown and the fact that the rest of The Beach Boys just wanted to surf, prevented the project from ever reaching any official form of completion, although I've been listening to fan-made bootleg versions of this one for years. The fact that Brian Wilson was a misunderstood genius has been well documented yet sadly overshadowed by his former band's penchant for recording catchy, but basically saccharine sounding songs about surfing, girls, sunshine and surfing. This orchestral song suite is as brilliant as I'd anticipated it would be, as it gels together in a way that includes classical flourishes with singalong lyrics, doo wop melodies and creative segues into a package that begs to be experienced as a whole piece, as opposed to being simply a collection of songs. The album also gets extra marks for surpassing the initial hype. With 30 plus years of build-up, I think that we were all pretty skeptical that this finished product could possibly live up to such heightened expectations, enabling most of us to hold on to those old bootlegs, just in case. The fact that the finished product is even better than expected is a real testament to the genius of Wilson, and there's no doubt that the album will continue to be heralded as one of the true classics of the rock era. [Myspace: Brian Wilson]

12. Set Yourself On Fire - Stars (2004)

The subtle intricacies of pop music have never sounded more nuanced than on this third offering by Stars. The album is a grand romanticized listen for many reasons: First of all, there is the fact that there's a great eloquence exuded in every perfectly articulated syllable sung by the charismatic Torquil Campbell. The more understated, yet charming vocals of Amy Millan serve as the greatest complement to those of Campbell, creating a melodramatic atmosphere that weaves in and out of the album in the same way that it tends to within most relationships, romantic or otherwise. No, Campbell and Millan are not a couple in real life, but the natural interplay that they possess throughout the album never sounds "put on" or "for show", and you'd be forgiven for assuming that, not only are they a couple, but they have been one for years. This is by far their most consistent album, with every song working together to create a defined whole. One of my favorite moments is the opening track about two former lovers meeting together entitled Your Ex-Lover Is Dead which is both affectionate and damning at the same time, as is indicated in the harsh lyric "and all of the time you thought I was sad, I was trying to remember your name." There's the obvious homages to mid 80's English pop such as Calendar Girl and the album's "hit" Ageless Beauty. And it's those celebratory moments that really help escalate the album to majestic heights, namely What I'm Trying To Say and Soft Revolution, where the mission is made clear in the lyric "we are here to take the blame, to take the taunts and if the shame, we are here to make you feel." Exactly. It's those expressed feelings that make this album so great as it hits on every nerve and moment that dwells in each and every one of us. Sounds corny, but it's true. [Myspace: Stars]

11. Broken Social Scene - Broken Social Scene (2005)

The Social Scene's follow up to 2002's You Forgot It In People is a mess. It's jumbled and sloppy, and very much lacking in the structured hooks that were so prevalent on the previous album. Yes, this is one huge catastrophic mess. However, so is the desk in my office but I promise you that I would never be able to get a single thing accomplished if my desk wasn't in the state that it's currently in. Sometimes it can only be out of chaos that true inspiration is derived, and I find this album to be as inspirational as they come. The album is a sonic boom of conflicting sounds and ideas with layered symphonies that clash as much as they complement, but I absolutely love it! The most appealing thing about BSS has always been the way that they can make their music sound like a community in action, and this album is the noisy din of just such a community. The sequencing is just perfect, with each song outshining the one prior, culminating in the epic, and somehow appropriately titled, ten minute explosion of It's All Gonna Break. The album is downright exhausting, and I usually need a few minutes of silence and a stiff drink once it's finished, but it also weilds several surprises every time I put it on, making every listen a unique experience unto itself. How many albums can you say that about? [Myspace: Broken Social Scene]

Tomorrow: Bobby B's 50 Albums Of The Decade (#10-6)

'Sup In October

Since this monthly post tends to turn into a run on sentence of sorts, I'll try not to be too overtly blabby but get right to the point as much as I can. No promises (a leopard can't change his spots after all) but my concert going activities can be lumped into two categories: the shows that I probably will see and the shows that I probably won't see. Nothing is ever definite either way, but here goes:

I've decided that I'm going to be making The Sadies my one regular yearly go-to. The reasons for this are simple: they are are one of the best live bands that the city has to offer, and they play several times every year. This weekend they have a show on Friday October 3rd, as well as Saturday October 4th. Both shows are at their favourite venue, The Horseshoe. I'll be there on the Friday. $15.

Myspace: The Sadies

Besides The Sadies, there are a number of great shows on Saturday October 4th, none of which I will be at. The reason for this is that the 3rd annual Nuit Blanche all night downtown art festival is taking place. It's not specifically music related so I've never really talked about it on this blog before, but it's a time of the year that I eagerly anticipate and this year is no exception. For a sampling of the fun that I enjoyed last year, feel free to peruse my flickr photos. Free.

Photos: Nuit Blanche 2007 on flickr

Also on Saturday October 4th, we've got Chad VanGaalen performing with Women at The Mod Club ($13.50) and Johnny Flynn performing with Laura Marling at The Rivoli ($10.50) Johnny Flynn will also be performing an instore at Criminal Records earlier in the day at 5pm, while Women will be doing the same at Soundscapes on Sunday October 5th at 1pm. Both shows are obviously free.

Myspace: Chad VanGaalen
Myspace: Women
Myspace: Johnny Flynn
Myspace: Laura Marling

Hot on the heels of their outstanding release Visiter, is California's The Dodos, who are playing at The Horseshoe on Monday October 6th. I don't have my tickets for this one yet, but I anticipate that I will be there. $12.50

Myspace: The Dodos

I already mentioned in a couple of earlier posts that Vesta Varro are going to be all over the Toronto area from Tuesday October 7th to Saturday October 11th. My as-of-yet-not-solidified plan is to attend the Indie Music Week Lunch Party on Wednesday October 8th at the Tattoo Rock Parlour. Also on the bill is Fred and The Dunes. $10.

Myspace: Vesta Varro
Myspace: Fred
Myspace: The Dunes

The Dears are playing two nights at The Music Gallery on Thursday October 9th and Friday October 10th. I will be attending the Friday show and I'm looking forward ot checking out the new lineup as well as hearing some of the new songs. From what I've already sampled, it sounds like the band is progging it up once again, just like the old days. Nice. $20.

Myspace: The Dears

An excellent alternative choice on Friday October 10th would be to attend the Oh No Forest Fires CD release party at The Supermarket. I miss those guys. Although I can't make it too that show, I'm hoping that I'll get to see them again soon becasue it's been far too long. Their playing with Dinosaur Bones and Black Hat Brigade. $5.

Myspace: Oh No Forest Fires
Myspace: Dinosaur Bones
Myspace: Black Hat Brigade

I actually already had my ticket for Okkervil River at The Phoenix on Sunday October 12th but I actually had to pass it on to someone else since some friends of mine were all getting together for a little shindig that same night. Yes, I actually chose friends over music! I feel like I've grown. (BTW, although I haven't really talked about it, Okkervil's latest CD, The Stand In's is another brilliant slice of vinyl. Yep, yep.) $15.50

Myspace: Okkervil River

Sunset Rubdown are playing Lee's Palace on Monday October 13th. $12.

Myspace: Sunset Rubdown

This next one is very interesting. I'm thinking that a large majority of my readers are not familiar with the works of Peter Hammill. He was the lead singer of one of my favourite prog bands of the 70's called Van Der Graaf Generator. He's gone on to release over 40 bizarre albums, and his maniacal Shakepearean cackle has garnered praise by everyone from David Bowie to Johnny Rotten to Nick Cave. He is nowhere near being a household name, yet he's playing The Phoenix on Tuesday October 14th. As of right now, I'm not sure if I'll be able to attend, but there's a part of me that would consider it to be a privilege. Oh, and all of my friends whom I've played his music for, um, hate him. Definitely an acquired taste although I think he's awesome. He's playing with Priya Thomas. $25.

Myspace: Peter Hammill
Myspace: Priya Thomas

Jason Collett is at Lee's Palace on Saturday October 18th. $16.50

Myspace: Jason Collett

Spiral Beach is at Lee's Palace opening for Spinto Band on Tuesday October 21st. $12.50.

Myspace: Spinto Band
Myspace: Spiral Beach

And finally, although Lykke Li is an artist that falls into the category of "someone who I really could do without hearing about for awhile", it doesn't change the fact that Youth Novels is a dang good album. It's just that it's not the only good album out there right now. However, the way all of my friends are talking, you'd think that maybe it is. I like her, I'm just saying. Anyways, she's playing The Mod Club on Friday October 24th for $15.

Myspace: Lykke Li

Photo of The Dears by Liam Maloney.

Okkervil River w/Damien Jurado @ Lee's Palace

Yay for bands like Okkervil River. I've seen many highly energetic youthful bands this year (including Mystery Jets just the night before,) and although there's something to be said about the contagious zeal they portray, nothing quite compares to the talent and showmanship of a seasoned band like Okkervil.

Will Sheff joked about losing momentum early when he wasn't sure whether or not his guitar was in tune, but the thrill of hearing an opener like "Plus Ones" surely more than makes up for any technical glitches that may appear along the way. An album like "The Stage Names" is tailor-made for the live stage, and the band rocked their way through those songs with style and charisma. And "John Allyn Smith Sails" sounded just as epic live as I suspected it would. Speaking of epic, it was however, the songs they played from "Black Sheep Boy" and older releases that sounded really impressive. "So Come Back, I Am Waiting (Black Sheep Boy II)" was one of those performances that had me checking if I still had a pulse when it was finished. I just stood there mesmerized at the brilliance of that song, and I'm glad that I finally got to hear it live. During the encore, Will gave us a comical anecdote concerning typical band vehicle troubles, and how their rented van could not hold all of their instruments so they had to leave the accordion behind. The accordion they used during "Okkervil River Song" was rented at a shop nearby, and judging by the wrapping, the band assumed that this was the maiden voyage of that accordion. It sounded sweet.

Photos: Okkervil River @ Lee's Palace flickr
Download: Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe mp3
Myspace: Okkervil River
Videos: Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe youtube / For Real youtube

Seattle's Damien Jurado opened the show, and did an admirable job but boy, did I feel sorry for him. Sometimes Toronto audiences can be very disrespectful, and Damien spent most of his performance battling against their endless chattering and mindless heckles. I suppose this just wasn't the right crowd for his style of laid back but beautiful indie folk rock. However, even during Okkervil River's performance, Will had to tell the audience to 'shush' at one point, and made it clear that the song was not going to continue until they do. And for the first time in history it worked! As far as Damien goes, his last Toronto experience resulted in him having his van broken into, so I doubt that this time around he'll be leaving with a better taste in his mouth. It would be nice to see him perhaps under different circumstances next time. Full marks for soldiering forth anyways, keeping as positive attitude as possible, communicating with the ones who were appreciative and putting on a very decent show.

Photos: Damien Jurado @ Lee's Palace flickr
Downloads: What Were The Chances mp3
Myspace: Damien Jurado
Videos: Lion Tamer youtube

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