I Am Very Far

Okkervil River | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: May 9, 2011
• Release Date: May 9, 2011
• Label: Jagjaguwar
• Copyright: 2011 Jagjaguwar
• Record Company Required Metadata: Music file metadata contains unique purchase identifier. Learn more.
• Total Length: 50:59
• Genres:
  • Alternative Rock
• ASIN: B004XU0C2O
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,096 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars More Genius from Sheff and Co but with a new direction! May 11, 2011

By Tommy D TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Audio CD

I admit up front I am a massive Okkervill River fan, and this is nearly five stars but I am using past work as my yardstick here like `Black Sheep Boy', and `The Stage Names'. To be honest I think Will Sheff should get 5 stars for a recording of him tieing up his shoe laces, but I intend to be objective and let my hero worship have a day off.

So - Will Sheff is possibly the hardest working man in show biz and the band are a force to be reckoned with in a live performance. One thing that doesn't normally change is the Will Sheff (lead singer writer, art work etc) normally writes poetry that tells a tale and fits beautifully to the music. He seems to be concentrating a lot more on the actual sound as opposed to the message with this their latest offering.

A song in point is `Show yourself' the constant repetition of the title line becomes hypnotic and is unusual for a Sheff number, but it is used to contextualise and add resonance and does work. There are nods to previous work in the shape of `Rider' and my favourite `Lay of the Last Survivor'.

Track 9 `Wake and be fine' was offered as a free download prior to release and is actually quite indicative of the flavour of this is that the drums and bass lines are much more up front than on past offerings, but he still knows how to spin a yarn with the likes of `We need a myth'.

The previous labels of folk, alt rock. Americana etc could easily be missed off from this work and just say `rock' as this is the most hard edged I have heard from Okkervill.

This is a very good album, but is still a departure from their previous style, that said every single offering from them has taken their style forward or in different directions and that can only be a good thing.... They are still one of my favourite bands and I await releases from them as an over eager child looks forward to Christmas, if you are yet to be introduced to this great band I suggest here may not be the best place to start but try the aforementioned 'Stage Names'Stage Names Read more ›

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Lacks that spark... May 9, 2012

By Issiyo

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

Obligatory, "I own every Okkervil River CD and love them" opening line to establish credibility.

I don't know if it's too early to say it's a tendency I'm seeing, but the new Kevin Divine latest Okkervil River albums are lacking that vim and vigor of earlier outings. While "A girl in port" is one of my favorite OR songs, so is "For Real", "Our life is not a movie", "Lost coastlines", Etc. I know that maybe it's more musically respectable to not scream and have energy in your songs and instead work on becoming so esoteric that no one but the most diehards can convince themselves that your music is fantastic...but c'mon. When Okkervil River is on and the energy is flowing and Will Sheff has emotion in his voice, the music is fantastic. When the music sounds like it came off a 99c "HALLOWEEN SPOOKY SOUND SAMPLER" (yes, piratess I'm looking at you) and Will sounds like he just took a bottle of valium, then I'm sorry but it's just not fun anymore.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Might Have Out Done Themselves This Time May 10, 2011

By Mark Abrahamsen

Format:MP3 Music

First off, I've been keeping up with their releases for a while, and I couldn't nearly consider myself a fan. But "I Am Very Far" does catch my attention, it's quite an impressive. Being a dedicated songwriter/musician myself, I know changing up how you go about writing songs can make for some great material. That is exactly what has made for some brilliant songs here. The mood is darker, the music takes unexpected turns, and it is performed so passionately (in a slightly twisted kind of way). I think the whole record is beautifully captivating, and I might conider myself fan now.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A lot of hype, not the greatest August 21, 2011

By staticantics

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

Okkervil River is a talented band. Saw them open for the Decemberists some years ago and saw this album had some great reviews. While I enjoyed the energy of their live performance, this album seems a bit over produced and lacks that drive and gusto I saw live.

It is still more listenable than many of the indie bands that assault the senses.

In short, you'll probably love it if you are a devout Okkervil River fan. If you aren't already, it probably won't convert you to being so.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Make No Mistake On What We Have May 22, 2011

By zenarrrow

Format:Audio CD

I must admit a few of OR releases took me a while to fully appreciate. But after a few spins every release is a true master piece. I Am Very Far , catches my attention on first listen. With so much crap out there to sort through for good tunes, so much regurgitated sounds and styles, this is a relief.

Soon these guys I believe will explode, but now I am secretly treasuring the fact that only a certain few know the genius of this band, the pure truth of Will Sheff's song writing and the way he delivers each lyric with emotion. Right now you should go see these guys in the venues they will be playing, it will be personal and honest.

We must know what we have in front of us to completely appreciate it.

I personally bought the 2 LP vinyl.... beautiful. Sounds so deep and rich, almost like the sound in-permeates your being.

If you are a fan of any of their releases, go ahead get this. It will not disappoint. Solid from start to finish. >>>---Zen--->

4.0 out of 5 stars I skip a few of the songs February 18, 2013

By Teresa A. Karlson

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

There a couple great songs, but the rest is just okay. It doesn't make for a very good thing to listen to on a regular basis. Maybe it's just not the right style for me. I don't know. It's alright...that's pretty much all I can say.

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great album January 19, 2012

By Jami E. Nettles

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

While this didn't hit me as hard as some of their other albums at first listen, I find myself coming back and back to it time and again. The songs are very well crafted and executed, and while maybe having a little less raw energy than earlier work, it is a fine album and a great purchase. I highly recommend it.