User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 98 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 86 out of 98
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Mixed: 3 out of 98
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Negative: 9 out of 98
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ZachGOct 21, 2005This album is one that just gets better and better after every listen. It has slowly risen to contend as my #1 album of the year so far. It doesn't get much better than "The Latest Toughs" and "For Real". A must-have for sure.
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MarkO.Jun 22, 2005Album of the year - period. Plus they have an incredible live show.
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GusQJul 14, 2005Beautiful. Simply beautiful. I agree, album of the year so far without a question.
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MCJul 1, 2005A subdued, more literate and less obscure "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea." It's in the same league as the Neutral Milk Classic, although "Aeroplane" takes it by a bit. It's that good
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ChaseHJul 6, 2006An 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.
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LKJun 24, 2005Incredible album.
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BenJun 29, 2005My God, I'm NOT an American and I've given this a 10. Why? Because it deserves it for being absolutely outstanding.
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DaveSJul 4, 2005Album of the year... hands down.
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TedPAug 30, 2005The best release since the DBT's Dirty South- just a gripping album, all theway through. Visionary, expansive, narrative- music to be listened too, no heard.
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aaronJan 12, 2006a powerfully sincere and absorbing record. this has got to be their masterpiece.
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JimCMar 11, 2006A heart-wrenching story told through the raw, quavering vocals of Will Sheff. Beautiful and haunting. This album gets better with each listen.
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PaulMay 24, 2006Amazing.
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anthonywJul 10, 2006Fantastic 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.
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DanHAug 6, 2007
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RobTJul 5, 2009Black Sheep Boy is a masterpiece on level with NMH's Aeroplane Over the Sea.
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KristannaVNov 15, 2005
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MattSNov 3, 2005This album simply gets better every listen. The imagery and emotion in Sheff's lyrics are incredible, easily the best album of 2005. I'll let you know how the live show goes :)
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JohnnyWDec 8, 2005Common This was By FAR this years best album!!!! Be sure to check out the B-side release.
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DanOJun 21, 2005Album of the year thus far, glad this finally got put on here.
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TimHJun 29, 2005The outpouring of emotion combined with beautiful melodies and perfect musical backing is just unmatchable here. A wonderful story with a wonderful storyteller.
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EricASep 11, 2005I simply cannot get over how good this album is... And yet no one I know (even the indie kids) have heard of it. This album easily beats out Sufjan Stevens for album of the year. In a couple of years this will be a classic, and I'll have been there from the start. "Get Big" is one of the most gripping, sad songs I have ever heard.
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ChristianMSep 13, 2005Propably the best album of 2005. Yes, I'm pretty sure. The only ones coming close are Marissa Nadler, The Mountain Goats, Sigur Rós and Caribou. Still this stands as the strongest. Wow.
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ivebeenlisteningtookkervillongerthanyouSep 20, 2005this is their most musicaly and emotionly polished album yet
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PatDOct 27, 2006Simply the gingle greatest album I have heard in 2005 or 6. Amazing Lyrics.
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ScottWMay 11, 2006This 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!
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RyanMay 27, 2006Best album of 2005.
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MikeMOct 14, 2007Simply phenomenal. Okkervil River's crowing achievement, and a pure joy to listen to from start to finish. I cannot recommend this album enough.
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AlessandroPDec 7, 2007Simply awesome.
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NicholasWOct 8, 2007It 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!!!
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ErikHApr 25, 2007You shouldn't be reading these comments. You should be going to buy this album. Now.
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Awards & Rankings
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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.
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Alternative Press[Sheff's] uncompromisingly literate songs provide unusually rewarding payoffs. [May 2005, p.124]
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MagnetWhat strike most are Sheff's strained, impassioned vocals and the joyful variety of instrumentation. [#67, p.110]