Lost Coastlines: discovering Okkervil River

Recently, I have (after quite a prolonged period of time), dived (head-first) into the music of Okkervil River. As the number of listens increase, so does my affection for the band. Much like the Decemberists, Okkervil River is a band not afraid of using multi-syllable words in run-on sentences. Much like the Hold Steady (and the Decemberists), Okkervil River tells the story of specific characters in their songs (for example, "Starry Stairs," my favorite of the Stand Ins, is a sequel to "Savannah Smiles" off The Stage Names, both of which eulogize actress Shannon "Savannah" Wilsey).

Musically, Okkervil River never ceases to impress. The theme that seems to run through most of their songs is a wonderful use of horns. On "A Girl in Port," off Stage Names, OR does a terrific job of blending horns with the slow croon of pedal steel alongside Will Sheff's vocals. On "Savannah Smiles," OR slows the pace as Will Sheff expresses a slow ballad, revealing his fatherly tenderness. "On Lost Coastlines" (the first full song off Stand Ins), the band picks it up, wonderfully blending banjo and guitar as they tell of their tumultuous times as a band. In fact, you can get Lost Coastlines for free here. So to all you out there, I recommend (as the summer dawns upon us) you pick up Stage Names first and, then, (if not at the same time) obtain a copy of the Stand Ins. Stage Names, while criticizing pop glory and the limelight, gives way to its sequel, Stand Ins, which highlights those working behind the scene to make pop stars what they are. My favorite songs (if you're one of those "song" people) are "Lost Coastlines," "Starry Stairs," "A Girl in Port," and "You Can't Hold the Hand of a Rock and Roll Man." Finally, for you fans of the Arcade Fire out there, please, please, please check out this band. While the Arcade Fire tries to be "epic" and fails, Okkervil River succeeds in almost every area the Arcade Fire fails.