Add Okkervil River's The Stage Names (out August 7 on Jagjaguwar) to the ever-growing list of contenders for 2007's album of the year. Chock full of rollicking melodies, impassioned lyrics and of course Will Sheff's trademark yelp, which almost, almost gives Jeff Mangum (aka Mr. Neutral Milk Hotel) a run for his money Stage Names agiley picks up where of 2005's impressive Black Sheep Boy left off. No mean feat if you ask me. It's difficult for music with such intense urgency to not sound cloying or earnest -especially within the over-crowded folk-rock genre, but ultimately it's the lack of pretense or emo-posturing that makes these guys stand out. Listen for yourself.
Okkervil River - Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe.mp3
Okkervil River - Unless It Kicks.mp3
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