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The Stand Ins

Okkervil River

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iTunes Review

A welcome sequel to 2007's cinematic The Stage Names, the similarly heady fifth studio album from Okkervil River was originally meant to be the second companion disc to The Stage Names. But don't think that The Stand Ins comprises outtakes and extras that didn't make the cut in 2007. Had the album's predecessor never happened, this one could easily stand on its own with catchy and captivating folk-rooted narratives that touch on subjects of loving, losing, loneliness, and even fallen pop star adoration — "Bruce Wayne Campbell Interviewed On The Roof Of The Chelsea Hotel, 1979" is a powerful and epic tribute to the late, great Jobriath (a '70s glam rock singer whose decision to be the first openly gay rock star unfortunately overshadowed his enormous talent). On songs like the scathing "Singer Songwriter" and the biting "Pop Lie," frontman Will Sheff displays a Dylanesque knack for cutting the subjects of his songs down with a scholarly honed sardonic edge. Other gems like "Calling And Not Calling My Ex" boast gripping prose set to well-arranged and memorable song craft that's somewhat reminiscent of Scott Walker's solo works. Guitar player Charles Bissell of The Wrens and Shearwater's Jonathan Meiburg contribute to the album.

Customer Reviews

Thin, Undeveloped, but still Okkervil River

"Singer Songwriter" and "Bruce Wayne..." are great songs, especially beacuse this epic closer delightfully reinvents the Okkervil River sound while keeping Sheff's masterful lyrics. But "Pop Lie" exposes the thin nature of this album-- it is a catchy yet weak version of "Unless It's Kicks," and merely demonstrates how much better that song is than anything here. "Calling...," "On Tour," and "Blue Tulip," are a return to the old storyteller songs of BSB, but are nothing special. "Starry Stairs" is a bonus track from The Stage Names, and it does resemble the sound from that album... which is to say that there's nothing cohesive about The Stand Ins... no character to hold it together. If Sheff had more time, he should have developed an album out of the final track of this one-- growing out of its sound and story. Instead, we are left with basically 7 new songs (too few) which, with the exception of "Singer Songwriter," will not rank alongside much of Okkervil River's past work.

least disappointed i've ever been with a new album

i already owned two of the songs off this album. and three of the songs are short instrumentals, effectively making this release more of an EP. fortunately, the six new songs i do have are simply amazing. Some people have complained that this record doesn't present enough growth as the jump from black sheep boy to the stage names, but i was introduced to the band by means of the stage names. from that point of view, they've matured as musicians (the bassline coming more to the forefront, and sheff's vocals ever improving - if you've heard some of their first albums, you'll understand what kind of progress he has made), sound quality has improved, and there isn't a weak song on the album. Will Sheff has stated many times that they try and record records that are "the least logical step forward." to those disappointed and surprised by their growth (or lack thereof,) it seems as if you have unsuccessfully tried to outguess the okkervil river boys once again.

Put the Stand Ins in the spotlight.

Okkervil River has finally done it. They've combined their maturity for songwriting and lyricism of their latest work with the loose, live feel of "Down the River of Golden Dreams," resulting in a perfect Okkervil River album. Each of the 8 songs are pure perfection, though, as usual, their music tends to require some time to fully enjoy them. "Blue Tulip" is classic OR build-up ("For the Enemy" or "A Girl in Port") while "Bruce Wayne Campbell..." operates exactly as "John Allyn Smith Sails" did on "The Stage Names." "Pop Lie" sounds like the New Pornographers (the band's tourmates) could have backed Will Sheff up and both "Lost Coastlines" and "Singer-Songwriter" are familiar territory, which allow the band to blaze forward with ease. The entire album ends up sounding like it was the most fun the band has had since "Down the River," while "Black Sheep Boy" and "The Stage Names" were much more calculated (but not bad by any means) efforts. Easily a top contender for Album of the Year.

Biography

Formed: 1998 in Austin, TX

Genre: Alternative

Years Active: '00s, '10s

Formed in 1998 in Austin, TX, Okkervil River find the middle ground between indie rock and folk-rock, placing slightly more emphasis on the former. Vocalist Will Robison Sheff and drummer Seth Warren first rubbed shoulders as high-school students in Meriden, NH, a town they eventually left to attend different colleges. The two reconvened several years later in Austin, where they put together Okkervil River with the help of bassist Zachary Thomas. The group recorded several EPs as a trio, including...
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