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Product Details
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Track Listings
| 1. Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe |
| 2. Unless It Kicks |
| 3. Hand To Take Hold Of The Scene, A |
| 4. Savannah Smiles |
| 5. Plus Ones |
| 6. Girl In Port, A |
| 7. You Can't Hold The Hand Of A Rock And Roll Man |
| 8. Title Track |
| 9. John Allyn Smith Sails |
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
On their debut album, Don’t Fall in Love with Everyone You See, Okkervil River invoked Otis Redding's "I’ve Got Dreams to Remember" in a late-album sweep of drama. Here they take the closer, "John Allyn Smith Sails," and spin languidly into verses from "Sloop John B," with tattered, ragged horns invoking Neutral Milk Hotel. Singer Will Sheff re-asserts his primacy as the best mid-range, lyric-wobbling howler as he pleads, "I feel so broke up, I wanna go home." But you don't have to wait until the ninth track to get the point: Okkervil River has grown yet again, weaving mandolin twang with pump organ wheeze as they name-check the Byrds, "99 Luftbaloons," and Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover," all in the first two minutes of "Plus Ones," and then embracing sad-sack heartbreak amidst pedal steel on "A Girl in Port," a mere four tracks after the distortion-laden guitar riffage of "Unless It's Kicks." Hyper-literate, musically accomplished, and keenly aware of dramatic sweep, Okkervil River continues fulfilling the promise inherent not only in each of their prior albums but also in the enthused throes of passion marking Okkervil's colleagues, Arcade Fire and Decemberists and Bright Eyes. A brilliant work, The Stage Names. --Andrew Bartlett
Product Description
This record dynamites the moss-covered castle walls of 2005's "Black Sheep Boy" to let in the glaring sun. Riddled with characters real and fake, with the relics of high culture and the crumpled up trash of low culture, "The Stage Names" is a cinemascopic take on the meaning of entertainment in the modern world. Reverberant with echoes of Motown snap and girl group pop, redolent with ripe whiffs of dirty rock 'n' roll, shining with the shimmy of Bo Diddley, with the shimmer of the Velvets, with the swagger of the Faces, and with a glittery sprinkling of cheap perfume to disguise the stink, "The Stage Names" is a relentlessly paced and ruthlessly thrilling journey.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Let fall your soft and swaying skirt and give in to Okkervil River
October 2, 2007
Format:Audio CD
I would like to thank the customer reviewers of Amazon and the pros over at Metacritic. Without them, I would have never discovered my new favorite band: Okkervil River. If you've ever experienced the thrill of loving a brilliant band that no one has ever heard of (Neutral Milk Hotel, The Decembrists etc.) then you'll feel it again with Will Sheff (singer,writer) and the boys. The album begins with three killer tunes, slows in good way thru its soft creamy center and finishes the listener off with three Knock-out songs at the end (which comes far too soon). Poignant lines like, "Oh, but wise men know when it's time to go, and I should too. And so I fly into the brightest sun of this frozen town" abound. Sheff is so good, I could've picked dozens of lines just as moving. O.R's music is unpredictable and original. They resemble everyone from The Kinks To Magnetic fields (via Wilco, yes Wilco!) but somehow sound fresh and new. If you want music that makes you think, feel and connect with this crazy world in an artful way, then make The Stage Names your next purchase. Absolutely essential for Indie Rock fans...
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
One of the great joys of being a music fan is being able to hear the progression of a band or artist. Many bands continually redefine their sounds. Some get progressively worse, others better. Okkervil River is a band that consistently improves. With each album that they put out, this great band from New Hampshire via Austin strengthens their sound and finds new ways to impress their audience. Like their previous releases, "The Stage Names" is influenced by several genres without fully committing to a single style. Sometimes folky, sometimes rocky, sometimes emo, sometimes poppy; Okkervil River is always worth listening too!
Will Sheff's emotionally wrought wails and painfully insightful lyrics begin the album off on "Our Life Is Not a Movie or Maybe." The song is about how everyday life is nowhere as exciting (or contrived) as a major movie, yet the song itself is more exciting than most. You can almost imagine the band playing this song live, flailing their bodies about with all the energy that they can muster. "Unless It Kicks" keeps the energy from the opening track, but channels it into a more traditional rock sound. It continually builds throughout, before finally climaxing at around 3:35 with the band rocking out as hard as they ever do!
Though the music itself is brilliant throughout "The Stage Names," it is Will Sheff's songwriting skills that have impressed me most about the album. Every song gives the impression that Sheff spent hours slaving over each song, writing intricate stories and reflections. Take, for example, the clever, yet brilliant, "Plus Ones" in which Sheff weaves the titles of songs with numbers into the lyrics (adding 1 to the original). When he sings "No one wants to hear about your 97th tear" it's a direct reference to the classic song "96 tears" by ? and the Mysterians. When he sings "51st way to leave your lover, admittedly it doesn't seem to be as gentle or as clean as all the others," he's referencing "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" by Paul Simon. While it's impressive that he could even weave so many song titles into the lyrics, it's even more impressive that the song itself is more than just a catchy gimmick but an extremely well-written piece of music.
Though "The Stage Names" is an absolute blast to listen to when the band is playing fast, energetic songs, it's when they calm things down that Okkervil River truly shines. On the stunning, "A Girl In Port," Sheff sings "These several years out on the sea made me empty, poor, and clear...pour yourself into me" over a shamelessly country arrangement. Soon after the song climaxes with a full brass section and guitar solo that is just as beautiful as it is entertaining. The title track, cleverly titled "Title Track," features minimal instrumentation from the band and only utilizes their talents when it's absolutely necessary. Sheff sings over the ambient guitars, saying, "The break dancers all broken down in their beds, are now intreveniously fed from a bag hanging over their heads." Again, his lyricism is unparalleled here, and it's especially apparent due to the lack of distraction from the rest of the band. The album wraps up with "John Allyn Smith Sails," in which Sheff asserts, "This is the worst trip I've ever been on" before following it with "I wanna go home." Nice.
In the end, "The Stage Names" is yet another fantastic album from Okkervil River. I had my doubts that the band would be able to top 2005's "Black Sheep Boy," but I can say with no doubt that this one tops it in almost every way. It's energetic moments are more powerful, and it's soft, reflective songs are more poignant. Simply put, "The Stage Names" is Okkervil River's best album to date and much more accessible than their previous releases. I would've liked for the album to be a song or two longer, but I'm still thrilled with what is presented here. If you're a fan of Okkervil River (which you totally should be), you absolutely need to hear "The Stage Names!" It will not be easily forgotten.
Recommended for fans of Okkervil River, The Honorary Title, and Two Gallants.
Key Tracks:
1. "Our Life Is Not a Movie Or Maybe"
2. "Unless It Kicks"
3. "Plus Ones"
4. "A Girl In Port"
5. "Title Track"
8 out of 10 Stars
Will Sheff's emotionally wrought wails and painfully insightful lyrics begin the album off on "Our Life Is Not a Movie or Maybe." The song is about how everyday life is nowhere as exciting (or contrived) as a major movie, yet the song itself is more exciting than most. You can almost imagine the band playing this song live, flailing their bodies about with all the energy that they can muster. "Unless It Kicks" keeps the energy from the opening track, but channels it into a more traditional rock sound. It continually builds throughout, before finally climaxing at around 3:35 with the band rocking out as hard as they ever do!
Though the music itself is brilliant throughout "The Stage Names," it is Will Sheff's songwriting skills that have impressed me most about the album. Every song gives the impression that Sheff spent hours slaving over each song, writing intricate stories and reflections. Take, for example, the clever, yet brilliant, "Plus Ones" in which Sheff weaves the titles of songs with numbers into the lyrics (adding 1 to the original). When he sings "No one wants to hear about your 97th tear" it's a direct reference to the classic song "96 tears" by ? and the Mysterians. When he sings "51st way to leave your lover, admittedly it doesn't seem to be as gentle or as clean as all the others," he's referencing "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" by Paul Simon. While it's impressive that he could even weave so many song titles into the lyrics, it's even more impressive that the song itself is more than just a catchy gimmick but an extremely well-written piece of music.
Though "The Stage Names" is an absolute blast to listen to when the band is playing fast, energetic songs, it's when they calm things down that Okkervil River truly shines. On the stunning, "A Girl In Port," Sheff sings "These several years out on the sea made me empty, poor, and clear...pour yourself into me" over a shamelessly country arrangement. Soon after the song climaxes with a full brass section and guitar solo that is just as beautiful as it is entertaining. The title track, cleverly titled "Title Track," features minimal instrumentation from the band and only utilizes their talents when it's absolutely necessary. Sheff sings over the ambient guitars, saying, "The break dancers all broken down in their beds, are now intreveniously fed from a bag hanging over their heads." Again, his lyricism is unparalleled here, and it's especially apparent due to the lack of distraction from the rest of the band. The album wraps up with "John Allyn Smith Sails," in which Sheff asserts, "This is the worst trip I've ever been on" before following it with "I wanna go home." Nice.
In the end, "The Stage Names" is yet another fantastic album from Okkervil River. I had my doubts that the band would be able to top 2005's "Black Sheep Boy," but I can say with no doubt that this one tops it in almost every way. It's energetic moments are more powerful, and it's soft, reflective songs are more poignant. Simply put, "The Stage Names" is Okkervil River's best album to date and much more accessible than their previous releases. I would've liked for the album to be a song or two longer, but I'm still thrilled with what is presented here. If you're a fan of Okkervil River (which you totally should be), you absolutely need to hear "The Stage Names!" It will not be easily forgotten.
Recommended for fans of Okkervil River, The Honorary Title, and Two Gallants.
Key Tracks:
1. "Our Life Is Not a Movie Or Maybe"
2. "Unless It Kicks"
3. "Plus Ones"
4. "A Girl In Port"
5. "Title Track"
8 out of 10 Stars
8 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Some bands recycle their sound from album to album, until they implode into a creative vacuum.
And some bands refine, rework and polish their talent, turning out increasingly brilliant, full-blown music. Fortunately Okkervil River fits into the second category, amping up the sound of their previous opus "Black Sheep Boy" and giving it a rollicking, lovable rock sound... without losing the freakfolk/alt-country edge.
It opens with a tight little riff, and Will Sheff moaning, "It's just a bad movie, where there's no crying... It's just a life story, so there's no climax/No more new territory, so pull away the IMAX." It unfolds into a blazing, thumping, piano-riddled rock song that sweeps the listener in its wake, just before letting you drop into quiet interludes.
So what's it about? Basically, about a person who sees their life as a movie, but is being told that it isn't all about them: "No fade in: film begins on a kid in the big city/And no cut to a costly parade -- that's for him only!/No dissolve to a sliver of grey -- that's his new lady!".
It's a strong start, and it's a good springboard to what comes next: sizzling rockers, bouncy indiepop flavoured with horns, plinky piano and "doo-doo!" vocals, smooth twinkling ballads, and rollicking alt-country. It doesn't sound that cohesive, but the songs do mesh well -- they all have a wistful, expansive quality that seems to spill over their edges.
Lots of people encountered Okkervil River by their 2005 album "Black Sheep Boy," but "The Stage Names" just evolves and expands the same kind of music. It's a bit less angular, a little more introspective, and a lot catchier -- it hasn't gotten any less poignant, but the melodies are rollicking fun.
They embrace the rock'n'roll with lots of driving riffs and great drumming, but the few songs when they don't do much else -- like "Unless It's Kicks" -- are a bit ordinary. The songs really shine when the core instruments are mingled with others: sweeping violins, xylophone, maracas, horns, plinky piano and a ticking clock, all wound around the guitar and drums like coloured ribbons.
And Sheff's voice is one you either love or hate -- either you'll hate it for being so waily, or love it for its passion. And the man knows how to pen beautiful songs ("I am all out of love... and not above letting a love song disappear/before it's written"), full of jumbled symbolism, painful loneliness, and jagged imagery ("She rises up like a yawn/grips my heart like a claw/splits apart like a jaw, like an eye...")
"The Stage Names" is a new high for Okkervil River -- brilliantly expansive alt-freakcountry songs, with bittersweet songwriting and fun tunes. Brilliant.
And some bands refine, rework and polish their talent, turning out increasingly brilliant, full-blown music. Fortunately Okkervil River fits into the second category, amping up the sound of their previous opus "Black Sheep Boy" and giving it a rollicking, lovable rock sound... without losing the freakfolk/alt-country edge.
It opens with a tight little riff, and Will Sheff moaning, "It's just a bad movie, where there's no crying... It's just a life story, so there's no climax/No more new territory, so pull away the IMAX." It unfolds into a blazing, thumping, piano-riddled rock song that sweeps the listener in its wake, just before letting you drop into quiet interludes.
So what's it about? Basically, about a person who sees their life as a movie, but is being told that it isn't all about them: "No fade in: film begins on a kid in the big city/And no cut to a costly parade -- that's for him only!/No dissolve to a sliver of grey -- that's his new lady!".
It's a strong start, and it's a good springboard to what comes next: sizzling rockers, bouncy indiepop flavoured with horns, plinky piano and "doo-doo!" vocals, smooth twinkling ballads, and rollicking alt-country. It doesn't sound that cohesive, but the songs do mesh well -- they all have a wistful, expansive quality that seems to spill over their edges.
Lots of people encountered Okkervil River by their 2005 album "Black Sheep Boy," but "The Stage Names" just evolves and expands the same kind of music. It's a bit less angular, a little more introspective, and a lot catchier -- it hasn't gotten any less poignant, but the melodies are rollicking fun.
They embrace the rock'n'roll with lots of driving riffs and great drumming, but the few songs when they don't do much else -- like "Unless It's Kicks" -- are a bit ordinary. The songs really shine when the core instruments are mingled with others: sweeping violins, xylophone, maracas, horns, plinky piano and a ticking clock, all wound around the guitar and drums like coloured ribbons.
And Sheff's voice is one you either love or hate -- either you'll hate it for being so waily, or love it for its passion. And the man knows how to pen beautiful songs ("I am all out of love... and not above letting a love song disappear/before it's written"), full of jumbled symbolism, painful loneliness, and jagged imagery ("She rises up like a yawn/grips my heart like a claw/splits apart like a jaw, like an eye...")
"The Stage Names" is a new high for Okkervil River -- brilliantly expansive alt-freakcountry songs, with bittersweet songwriting and fun tunes. Brilliant.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of my all time favourite albums
This is one of my all time favourite albums and so I felt I had to write a review. Will Sheff and co not only leads, writes the songs but does the art too and the cover from this... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Tommy D
5.0 out of 5 stars
at same height!!
No es de extrañarse que cada material que escuchemos de esta banda de Austin Texas nos proyecte una atmosfera única y cada vez mas refinada. Read more
Published on May 27, 2009 by Emmanuel
4.0 out of 5 stars
1 of 2
this is one of 2 Okkervil River albums i own. I liek them bot very much. they are mellow and get me in a fair mood or take me through times that i dwell. Read more
Published on December 29, 2008 by M. Hetrick
4.0 out of 5 stars
A really impressive indie-rock style album
I know that these guys were one of the indie darlings in 2007 but I didn't get into this album until 2008. However, I am glad that I did. Read more
Published on May 14, 2008 by Scott Yanoff
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Album
I've been listening to this one quite a bit and it really gets better each time. This album is strung together amazingly, with unique and thoughtful lyrics. Read more
Published on March 26, 2008 by j-rog
5.0 out of 5 stars
Trying not to turn off
Okkervil river's new album has an urgency , a sense that the music must come out, must roll forward in exactly the order that it does, that herald's all great rock albums. Read more
Published on February 18, 2008 by Grant Alexander
3.0 out of 5 stars
Unique but overrated
Music: 3/10 Vocals: 4/5 Lyrics: 3/5 Production: 4/5
Total: 14/25: C+
Okkervil River made many top 20 lists in 2007. Read more
Total: 14/25: C+
Okkervil River made many top 20 lists in 2007. Read more
Published on January 29, 2008 by T. Plummer
5.0 out of 5 stars
By far the best
I have to admit that I thought the Okkervil albums that preceded this one were shaky, wallowy and overly pretentious. Read more
Published on December 30, 2007 by M. Buisman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Oakville River
Refreshingly new bluesy rock sound. Incredible voices and interesting handling of new and older material. Read more
Published on December 8, 2007 by nan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Witty and Awe-Inspiring
Okkervil trumped themselves this time. Their most recent release is a little more upbeat, a little more thoughtful, and a little more genuine.... hard to imagine, I know. Read more
Published on October 10, 2007 by Kurgan
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