i love okkervil river

There, I said it. Okkervil River was one of the first bands I got into when I finally "discovered" indie music just a bit over a year and a half ago. Black Sheep Boy appeared on several "best of 2005" lists, and so I bought it. Admittedly it took me a couple of listens for the album to sink in, but once it did... I found myself hunting down everything the band has ever recorded.

I realize the picture up there is pretty dated (that's Jonathan Meiburg on accordian), but I couldn't resist... It's just... so... great.

Since it's leak (a mere 3 weeks ago), I believe I have listened to this year's upcoming release, The Stage Names, about 30 times. I have preordered it both on vinyl and CD. It is incredible - and for a band to follow up a superb album with an equally superb album is rare. As I sit here and listen to The Stage Names yet again, I can't help but wonder how the music industry ever ended up in such a state... where the world's most no-talent hacks get all the press while the world's most ingenius bands are still playing 300-capacity clubs nearly 10 years after they are born. While the band started in NH, they are currently based in Austin, which is what, like 900 miles from Denver? OK, it seems like a ways, but our states out here are pretty fucking big. There is no way this amazing band should still be playing in 300-seat venues at this point in their musical career.

Not that I'm complaining... today I bought my ticket to see Okkervil in September at Denver's Marquis Theatre. But each time I get to see a brilliant band at a small venue with (too often) a small crowd there's a part of me that can't get past the injustice of it all. I guess in the meantime I will go ahead and enjoy everything I know that the rest of the world doesn't. Yes, I have indeed turned into just a bit of an indie music snob... :)

And so ends this rambling, maybe slightly gin-induced, proclamation of love to what is likely my favorite band at the moment. If you are not familiar with Okkervil River, check out their catalogue post-haste, and proceed to NOT be disappointed. And PLEASE buy The Stage Names on August 7... if you are a fan of brilliant lyrics, superior musicianship, and a vocalist who may not be the most "talented" singer in the world (but who belts out his tunes with passion and a unique voice), you will love it.

Now for a sampling of those brilliant Will Sheff lyrics (it's a Stage Names spoiler, so don't read if you don't want to know...):

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 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

8 chinese brothers
Well, there's a reason why the last is smiling wider, sitting higher than the others
Swinging his arms

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 51st way to leave your lover
Admittedly, it doesn't seem to be as gentle or as clean as all the others
Leaving a scar
All in the after hours of some Greenpoint bar

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, as you were once a lionness
They cut your claws out

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

But you were caught kissing 8 chinese brothers
Well, there's a reason why the last is smiling wider 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
Let's make the world's stupidest stand and truly mean it
Let's hit the limit of loss over lover's arms
No, lets exceed it."

Those are the most clever lyrics I've heard for quite some time...

I couldn't be more excited for September 13... I've only been waiting a year and a half. <8