quote:

Originally posted by BContrat:
*ding ding ding* Album of the Year.

I have to agree. Move over J. Mascis and Britt Daniel-- Will Sheff has just entered the building. Finally, I think, they have delivered on the promise of Don't Fall In Love With Everyone You See.

quote:

Originally posted by BContrat:
*ding ding ding* Album of the Year.

Spoon's is also right up there. Pretty good year for Austin, TX.

The Of Montreal album is pretty damn good too. It will suffer at year end list time for being released so early.

I think Britt Daniel technically lives in Portland, OR-- or at least I thought I read that. I think you're right about Of Montreal and probably the Arcade Fire and the Shins too. It's never a good idea to release an album that early in the year.

quote:

Originally posted by Maximum Jack:
I think Britt Daniel technically lives in Portland, OR-- or at least I thought I read that. I think you're right about Of Montreal and probably the Arcade Fire and the Shins too. It's never a good idea to release an album that early in the year.

I thought Britt Daniel was pretty firmly a Austin guy. James Mercer from the Shins moved to Portland from Albuqueque. Perhaps thats what you were thinking of.

The Shins album has gotten one, maybe two listens from me since shortly after its release. Its completely fallen off my radar and I have no real interst to put it on even though I still think its a pretty good album. A year from now if I want to listen to the Shins, I think I'll reach for one of their first two albums before the latest one.

quote:

Originally posted by Hophead:
I thought Britt Daniel was pretty firmly a Austin guy. James Mercer from the Shins moved to Portland from Albuqueque. Perhaps thats what you were thinking of.

I'm also pretty sure Britt Daniel relocated to Portland, the indie rock equivalent of Mecca.

quote:

Originally posted by ericg75:

quote:

Originally posted by Hophead:
I thought Britt Daniel was pretty firmly a Austin guy. James Mercer from the Shins moved to Portland from Albuqueque. Perhaps thats what you were thinking of.

I'm also pretty sure Britt Daniel relocated to Portland, the indie rock equivalent of Mecca.

You think Britt Daniel, James Mercer, Phil Elvrum, Isaac Brock, and Colin Meloy all live on the same street and sit around and kick back beers and bitch about the Trailblazers on weekends?

quote:

Originally posted by Hophead:
You think Britt Daniel, James Mercer, Phil Elvrum, Isaac Brock, and Colin Meloy all live on the same street and sit around and kick back beers and bitch about the Trailblazers on weekends?

Yeah, I'm pretty sure Hutch Harris and Carrie Brownstein hang out too.

quote:

Originally posted by Hophead:
The Shins album has gotten one, maybe two listens from me since shortly after its release. Its completely fallen off my radar and I have no real interst to put it on even though I still think its a pretty good album. A year from now if I want to listen to the Shins, I think I'll reach for one of their first two albums before the latest one.

Wincing the Night Away has actually enjoyed remarkable sticking power for me. I'm not sure what it is, but it's much more appealing to me than their first two (which I still enjoy).

I'm not saying that Wincing is any better than its predecessors, but it does share being Top Ten material with them, at least for this Old Hoss.

This discussion really doesn't have much of anything to do with Okkervil River though. So I'll try to refocus.

I don't disagree with you about 'Stage Names' being excellent, but why do you think it is one of the top albums of the year?

quote:

Originally posted by Shadrach:
This discussion really doesn't have much of anything to do with Okkervil River though. So I'll try to refocus.

I don't disagree with you about 'Stage Names' being excellent, but why do you think it is one of the top albums of the year?

Instead of asking you if you've read the thread or instruct you to read my posts, I will say this:

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.

quote:

Originally posted by Maximum Jack:
I think Britt Daniel technically lives in Portland, OR-- or at least I thought I read that.

You would be correct, according to a Merge Records contributor at least: (... longest url title ever!!)

quote:

Q is for…
Quimby
You thought this one was gonna be "Quincy Punk Episode," didn't ya? The Mayor of Springfield, U.S.A. is named after a street in Portland, OR: erstwhile home of The Simpsons creator Matt Groening and the place where [Britt] Daniel now resides.

Actually Fragile, I was refering to the sidetrack discussion about where Britt Daniels lives. I appreciate your review of the Album.

Would probably be my album of the year if Breathe Owl Breathe did not drop possibly my favorite album of the last three years. Ike Reilly is also pressuring Okkervil but may fade off when summer ends (it is just such a damn good summer album).

Breathe Owl Breathe?

quote:

Originally posted by RavingLunatic:
Breathe Owl Breathe?

Ya they are a folk band from Michigan. Their album is called "Canadian Shield" and is absolutely fantastic. I strongly suggest picking it up if you can find it (I bought it off their website after I downloaded it off a torrent).

If you'd like to dl the Bonus Disk (demos), here ya go:
The Stage Names (Bonus Disk) DL

I'm interested in what other people think of the "Solo Acoustic Demo Disk" that came as a bonus with preorders. As I was saying in another thread, I think some of the songs (The two "Hand" songs especially" are better stripped down and accoustic than they are in their final form. Or they at least helped me appreciate the actual music of the pieces a lot better. And the harmonic at the end of "Girl in Port" is excellent. I can't believe they cut it from the final album.

quote:

Originally posted by DrAwesome:

quote:

Originally posted by RavingLunatic:
Breathe Owl Breathe?

Ya they are a folk band from Michigan. Their album is called "Canadian Shield" and is absolutely fantastic. I strongly suggest picking it up if you can find it (I bought it off their website after I downloaded it off a torrent).

I'll have to do that. Thanks for the heads up.

quote:

Originally posted by Shadrach:
I'm interested in what other people think of the "Solo Acoustic Demo Disk" that came as a bonus with preorders. As I was saying in another thread, I think some of the songs (The two "Hand" songs especially" are better stripped down and accoustic than they are in their final form. Or they at least helped me appreciate the actual music of the pieces a lot better. And the harmonic at the end of "Girl in Port" is excellent. I can't believe they cut it from the final album.

I just got around to hearing this, front to back, and I agree with you that it is great. I don't think that I would prefer some of the acoustic versions to the album versions but hearing them back and forth is nice. It is nice to know how the album started and if you like the acoustic version then you should love the album version. I still really love this album and I hope everyone gives it a fair, honest shot.