Wow!

This album surprised me. I was lukewarm on Black Sheep Boy. With the exception of For Real, Black, and Song of Our So-Called Friends, I thought that Black Sheep Boy was too morose and same sounding.

But The Stage Names instantly jumped out of the stereo and grabbed me. Our Live Life Is Not a Movie or Maybe and Unless it Kicks are rockers with an energy that was often lacking on Black Sheep Boy. But, the song that really grabbed me is Savannah Smiles, which is beautiful, poignant, and sad.

I love this album. It will probably be in my top 5 at the end of the year. What do you think?

As I stated in the Best of 2007 thread, I wholeheartedly agree. This is a great album. And it's a bit surprising because even though I enjoyed Black Sheep Boy, I wouldn't have seen this album coming. Every song is a good one, but the standouts right now are "Unless It's Kicks" and "John Allyn Smith Sails".

Yes, it's good. Top 5-10 material for me too .

I agree with what everyone on here has stated about this album. I especially agree with everyone on the fact that this was a nice, little surprise from them. I kept thinking to myself, "hmmm, I should check out that Okkervil River album" but I never thought that it would be this good. Like I also stated in the "Best Record of 2007," it is one terrific album and everyone should hear it.

They have gotten better at writing tight, nice little rock tunes and even the Beach Boys' sample works really nice. It's also sounds like Will Sheff has improved as a singer and the whole band sounds tremendous even after a few great albums under their belt.

I can't wait to pick this up-- probably this weekend.

I want to like Savannah Smiles - the little guitar line is such a great hook - but I can't stand the lyrics. Songs like "A Girl in Port" and "Title Track" are also really slow and bore me quite a bit.

Still, the ups of this album are definitely up. First two tracks are great rock songs, "Plus Ones" is a good song and it's fun to catch all the references he made. And yeah, John Allyn Smith Sails has a great retread of Sloop John B.

They've already known how to write some great soft, slow ballads for quite some time and they still know how to do it. I like how this album is a nice nine-song album that moves and flows great. I like their ballads just as much as their great rockers though and I don't think any of it is boring.

quote:

Originally posted by Chamberk:
I want to like Savannah Smiles - the little guitar line is such a great hook - but I can't stand the lyrics.

I think the lyrics to "Savannah Smiles" are fantastic. Perhaps having kids is what does it for me. That song more than any other in the past few years tugs at my hearstrings.

"Title Track" still hasn't clicked at all. The other eight tracks are phenomenal.

Here are the lyrics to "Plus Ones" and I've added the song referenced for fun. What a great song and a neat concept for lyrics. This is copied from another blog called blogsarefordogs.com to give credit where its due.

Okkervil River - “Plus Ones”

No one wants to hear about your 97th tear
So dry your eyes or let it go uncried, my dear
I am all out of love to mouth into your ear
And not above letting a love song disappear before it’s written
? and the Mysterians - 96 Tears

And no one wants a tune about the 100th luftballoon that was seen shooting from the window of your room
To be a spot against the sky’s colossal gloom
And land deflated in some neighbor’s state that’s strewn with 99 others
Nena - 99 Luftballons

8 chinese brothers
Well, there’s a reason why the last is smiling wider and sitting higher than the others
Swinging his arms
REM - Seven Chinese Brothers

You would probably die before you shot up 9 miles high
Your eyes dilated as light played upon the sight
Of TVC16 as it sings you goodnight
Relaxed as hell and locked up in cell 45
I hope you’re feeling better
The Byrds - Eight Miles High
David Bowie - TVC15
Zombies - Care of Cell 44

The 51st way to leave your lover
Admittedly, it doesn’t seem to be as gentle or as clean as all the others
Leaving us scars, all in the after hours of some Greenpoint bar
Paul Simon - 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover

I told you, I can’t listen, baby, ’bout the 4th time you were a lady and how your forthrightness betrayed a secret shyness
Stripped away by days of being hailed as “your highness”
And what’s new, pussycat, is you were once a lionness
They cut your claws out
The Commodores - Three Times a Lady

Kitten, not everyone’s keen on lighting candle 17, the party’s done, the cake’s all gone, the plates are clean
The chauffeur’s leering from the cheerless mezzanine
And in just one year, this straight world could pay to see what they have been missing
The Crests - Sixteen Candles

You were caught kissing 8 chinese brothers
Well, there’s a reason why the last is smiling wider and sitting higher than the others
Stinking with charm

And he says, “Lets get lost, let them send out alarms
He says, “Let’s get crossed out and come to harm”
“Lets make the world’s stupidest stand and truly mean it
Lets hit the limit of loss over lover’s arms
No, lets exceed it”

And then they kick into "Sloop John B." at the end of the album. I like the record well enough, and my ears were definitely turning every time I heard a referenced number song, but I'm not sure what the point is. Maybe if I listen to the album some more, I'll hear a theme based on it. Of course, the song titles imply the band's playing a part in some movie or some other artists' lives (songs?)

You could also include "What's New, Pussycat?" by Tom Jones in that list.

I'm really digging 'You Can't Hold the Hand of a Rock and Roll Man'. This song's got everything - lots of lalalala backing vocals, some nice crazy horsish lead guitar, a get-stuck-in-your-head riff and a very relaxed vocal. I love the section where the lead singer has little laugh at the end of a refrain. Can't wait to get this album!

heard it for the first time today and, having never heard anything by Okkervil River, i really really liked it.
Title Track is what really opened the flood gates for me.

I love Okkervil River, and I think Stage Names is great (It's been playing nonstop since it arrived). But I can't break the feeling like it's missing something. There are some really good songs on it, but it's not done yet. I have the same feeling about Decemberists "The Crane Wife". I can't say that it isn't musically advanced from everything before it, but is still weaker.

i think these guys are alright, maybe just not my thing overall, but definitely good if you like the more singer-songwriter/americana sound. great lyrics.

the only reason i'm posting is i was wondering if anyone agreed that the first song's melody sounds a bit like a melody from a random disney movie (like aladin or something like that). i'm sorry, but i heard it the first time, and i started laughing. and i'm just talking about the vocal melody, not the lyrics or anything else. anybody else agree?

quote:

Originally posted by Chamberk:
You could also include "What's New, Pussycat?" by Tom Jones in that list.

And there is a Massive Attack "Mezzanine" reference.

Double post I know, but I don’t know if certain people pass over threads and I felt that everyone should read this: Okkervil River – The Stage Names

At some point throughout today it hit me (kind of like Homer’s epiphany in The Simpsons Movie) just how astonishing this album is. Yes, it is an “indie” rock album but the layers and substance that fill and encompass this album are utterly unmatched. In many ways, this album is the kind of musical collection that could alter your discernment and overall attitude on life. Though in some parts the gleaming melodies give off the impression that this is a “happy album,” in reality, it so much more. A topical listen, it touches on the basis of mortality, dealing with death/any kind of profound loss and many other issues married with the beautiful struggle we call life. Will Sheff’s voice has never sounded as emotional, striking and powerful as it does here, the special touches of brass and winds on parts of the songs are stunning and gorgeous, their absorption of influences and being able to modify those and make them new and exciting are all signs of a tremendous band and album. This is an uplifting listen—so much more than a “pretty good album”—and while it may not be the unsurpassed album of the year, its significance and ability to make you feel again is what really matters. The fact alone that someone out there created this is inspiring. Everyone needs to go out and buy this album as soon as possible.

I am sorry for rambling and for sounding like a crazy fool but if this at least touches a nerve for one person that reads this then I feel glad and proud for have written it.

I agree with all you said FKA. Thats why I brought this album up in the "Will Pitchfork give a 10.0 this year?" thread here. Its not that I really expected them to get the 10.0, but if they did I wouldn't have been shocked. Its more that the album is strong enough to be a 10.0 to a lot of people. Its just that damn good. This album will undoubtedly be very highly regarded and personally loved for many. Black Sheep Boy seems to be as highly regarded to a few out there as well, so obviouly Okkervil River is doing something very right.

FKA, I would say the same thing about the National - Boxer, except for some of the middle songs...err. But yes, Stages Names is excellent.

*ding ding ding* Album of the Year.