The Stage Names

Okkervil River : The Stage Names

One of my favorite records of the past year, it is something i just keep coming back to time after time again. I became a fan of Austin based Okkervil River when my buddy Brett put Black Sheep Boy on a mixtape for me. While that record was visceral, abrasive and at times melodramatic (how couldn’t I love it) Okkervil River’s most recent effort brings things a step back, though the emotional content is still there.

The Stage Names breaks the fourth wall, with loads of pop culture reference, references to other bands (My friends and I picked up on Bright Eyes and the Decemeberists, aside from some of the more obvious ones) as well as themselves. All the arrangements are incredibly solid, and though many songs follow the bands main formula (soft, then loud) the song writing capability of Will Sheff will keep you coming back with songs about the life on the road of a “mid-level band”, pornstars, poets and groupies. This is my personal favorite album of 2007.

Okkervil River – John Allyn Smith Sails

Also, Okkervil River has presented the Golden Oppotunities Mixtape, a collection of cover songs they recorded while on tour. It’s free so check it out. Download