Black Sheep Boy
by Okkervil River
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 98 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 86 out of 98
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 98
  3. Negative: 9 out of 98

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  1. RedGreyBlue
    Jun 25, 2021
    10
    Will Sheff's creativity sits prime as proof that a cover song can make an album it's greatest. Best album I've ever listened to. This masterpiece sits on the same level as some of the most critically acclaimed work out there.
  2. JackRoyse
    Sep 1, 2014
    10
    Quite possibly the most underrated album of all time. This is indie folk at its finest. I've listened to this album hundreds of times but, unlike other albums, I seem to never get tired of it.
  3. Boosemo12
    Jun 6, 2011
    7
    Solid effort, nothing that'll blow your mind but it's worth the money.
  4. RobT
    Jul 5, 2009
    10
    Black Sheep Boy is a masterpiece on level with NMH's Aeroplane Over the Sea.
  5. TomP
    Nov 17, 2008
    8
    Black is most likely the best song of 2005. Amazing. The rest is good too.
  6. Paul
    Nov 5, 2008
    10
    Amazing.
  7. CaseyM
    Jun 26, 2008
    10
    The entire album and appendix is emotional, beautiful, and perfect. Some critique Sheff's vocals, but I think it adds to the rawness of the emotion he puts into the songs. Simply great!
  8. ColB
    May 21, 2008
    10
    One of the greatest albums of all-time.
  9. AlessandroP
    Dec 7, 2007
    10
    Simply awesome.
  10. MikeM
    Oct 14, 2007
    10
    Simply phenomenal. Okkervil River's crowing achievement, and a pure joy to listen to from start to finish. I cannot recommend this album enough.
  11. NicholasW
    Oct 8, 2007
    10
    It might be weird but this guy remindes me of Bob Dylan..but perhaps maybe the thing they have most in common is "greatness"- okay- a little below dylan but still really awesome!!!
  12. TiagoF
    Aug 13, 2007
    10
    Perfect album. Third best album of the 00s. It's sad how underrated it is by critics.
  13. JamesS
    Aug 8, 2007
    10
    Beautiful, Powerful, Emotional, Diverse. This album is a musical masterpiece. It's like watching a dream unfold in your mind that highlights all of your weakness and fears as well as all of your strengths. Everytime, at the end, you wake up knowing youself better.
  14. DanH
    Aug 6, 2007
    10
    Indie albums don't age well, you'd think. But two years on, I'm all the more certain that this is the best thing I've heard since the turn of the century. Literate people will adore it; teenagers will identify strongly with it; indie rock fans will be blown away; neurotics will get totally obsessed with it. Even total morons won't be able to help loving a huge Indie albums don't age well, you'd think. But two years on, I'm all the more certain that this is the best thing I've heard since the turn of the century. Literate people will adore it; teenagers will identify strongly with it; indie rock fans will be blown away; neurotics will get totally obsessed with it. Even total morons won't be able to help loving a huge joyous tune like 'All the Latest Toughs'. One to break your heart and sharpen your perceptions.… Expand
  15. ErikH
    Apr 25, 2007
    10
    You shouldn't be reading these comments. You should be going to buy this album. Now.
  16. PatD
    Oct 27, 2006
    10
    Simply the gingle greatest album I have heard in 2005 or 6. Amazing Lyrics.
  17. anthonyw
    Jul 10, 2006
    10
    Fantastic album, easily in the top 5 albums of 05. An epic story of the Black Sheep Boy weaved into a storytellers album. Easily their best work.
  18. ChaseH
    Jul 6, 2006
    10
    An epic and incredible journey through the life of a lamb. Scheff's voice is wonderous and sometimes painful to listen to coupled with the dark lyrics. Everything fits perfectly and there isn't a bad track on the record.
  19. Ryan
    May 27, 2006
    10
    Best album of 2005.
  20. Paul
    May 24, 2006
    10
    Amazing.
  21. Jonas
    May 22, 2006
    10
    It's too bad that great bands like Okkervil River live in obscurity while there's so much crap being played on mainstream radio. I loved every song!
  22. ScottW
    May 11, 2006
    10
    This will be your new favorite band! The lyrics are soul-baring, the music is sweeping, and Sheff's earnest vocals will blow you away. You have to buy this!
  23. boomshanka
    May 10, 2006
    8
    melancholic lo-fi wonder - unpolished and raw - this album is so real, focused more on music then production values - i love this album
  24. ChadS
    May 9, 2006
    9
    "For Real" is stunning. Structurally, it reminds me of U2's "With or Without You". It might be a tribute to the Manic Street Preacher's frontman. "Black" is a winner, too. The slow songs work equally well; understated, but melodic enough not to depress even though the subject matter is about being sad. Will Sheff seems like the real deal. (To the girl who uses this site as a "For Real" is stunning. Structurally, it reminds me of U2's "With or Without You". It might be a tribute to the Manic Street Preacher's frontman. "Black" is a winner, too. The slow songs work equally well; understated, but melodic enough not to depress even though the subject matter is about being sad. Will Sheff seems like the real deal. (To the girl who uses this site as a consumer guide: At least you didn't get stuck with Animal Collective's "Sung Tongs" and Chad VanGaalen's "Infiniheart".)… Expand
  25. JimC
    Mar 11, 2006
    10
    A heart-wrenching story told through the raw, quavering vocals of Will Sheff. Beautiful and haunting. This album gets better with each listen.
  26. JH
    Jan 24, 2006
    10
    A great, great album with depth and passion. The songs stand alone and together are truly ethereal. Okkervil River's Best!
  27. aaron
    Jan 12, 2006
    10
    a powerfully sincere and absorbing record. this has got to be their masterpiece.
  28. JohnnyW
    Dec 8, 2005
    10
    Common This was By FAR this years best album!!!! Be sure to check out the B-side release.
  29. KristannaV
    Nov 15, 2005
    10
    For once, Metacritic got things right. I bought several of the top 30 albums of 2005 like Spoon, Andrew Bird, and Antony and the Johnsons but how disappointing they all were! This is my new favorite band! The lyrics aren't shallow, dumb, or droning but are so PROFOUND. Will Sheff pours so much into his singing which is perfectly imperfect and the music fits the lyrics. This album For once, Metacritic got things right. I bought several of the top 30 albums of 2005 like Spoon, Andrew Bird, and Antony and the Johnsons but how disappointing they all were! This is my new favorite band! The lyrics aren't shallow, dumb, or droning but are so PROFOUND. Will Sheff pours so much into his singing which is perfectly imperfect and the music fits the lyrics. This album deserves a much higher rating than it got!… Expand
  30. JasperB
    Nov 13, 2005
    8
    Definetly above average
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Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Best Album of 2005
61
#61 Most Discussed Album of 2005
87
#87 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Lost At Sea
    90
    It's hard not to stare in open-mouthed amazement at the sheer brilliance of Black Sheep Boy, though you're trying to clinically dissect all the elements that make it so.
    Read full review
  2. Alternative Press
    100
    [Sheff's] uncompromisingly literate songs provide unusually rewarding payoffs. [May 2005, p.124]
  3. Magnet
    80
    What strike most are Sheff's strained, impassioned vocals and the joyful variety of instrumentation. [#67, p.110]
See all critic reviews »