Leak of the Week: Okkervil River

In 2005 Okkervil River released their fourth full length album, Black Sheep Boy, and finally garnered the sort of critical praise and success they had worked hard for half a decade to achieve. People across the board were struck by the depth and the darkness of Will Sheff's lyrics and the band's capable musicianship. It even had Lou Reed declaring the band one of his new favorites. So after two years of relentless touring and the release of an EP accompaniment the band has finally finished up their follow-up with an overwhelming amount of anticipation looking them right in the face.

From the opening track, "Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe", the band laughs in the face of these expectations, meeting them head on by making an amazing album. The Stage Names is a bit brighter and more up beat than Black Sheep Boy all over. Where Black Sheep Boy tackled ideas of gothic fantasy, The Stage Names goes after more modern ideas with lovable losers, long bar nights, and waitresses a step away from death. Throughout the album Will Sheff's voice soars through his lyrics, pushing the limits of his voice to their breaking point without ever actually breaking. Its impassioned, its powerful, and it is entertaining as hell.

The Stage Names should only build on the success of Black Sheep Boy, and should push the band to the upper echelon of the indie world. The album will hit store shelves on August 7th so make sure to add it to your shopping lists for the day, and hopefully you'll follow Lou Reed and take Okkervil River as one of your favorite new bands.
Okkervil River - "Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe"
buy it at insound!