The Silver Gymnasium
by Okkervil River
  • Record Label: ATO
  • Release Date: Sep 3, 2013
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
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  1. Boston Globe
    Sep 3, 2013
    50
    Ultimately, though, the album is weighed down by verbose lyrics and excess ambition.
  2. CMJ
    Sep 6, 2013
    50
    The Silver Gymnasium has Sheff getting increasingly personal, though it sometimes seems as if he has no more personal secrets left to reveal. The new experience is stunted by the fact that everything really just sounds like a memory.
  3. DIY Magazine
    Sep 27, 2013
    40
    The Silver Gymnasium lacks some of whatever it was that made previous albums like 'Black Sheep Boy' and 'The Stage Names' so special.
  5. Mojo
    Oct 16, 2013
    60
    For all their assiduous construction and heartfelt subject matter, Sheff's songs struggle to match the abundant hook-line quotient of his youthful influences and inspiration. [Nov 2013, p.88]
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  6. NOW Magazine
    Sep 19, 2013
    60
    On the whole, the band’s country-leaning indie rock pulses along for 49 minutes at a decent clip.
  7. The Observer (UK)
    Sep 30, 2013
    60
    The musical arrangements, laden with pianos, brass, synths and strings in occasionally strained approximation of Arcade Fire, aren't always so nuanced. Still, in its more understated moments, such as slow-burn closer Black Nemo, music and memory chime beautifully.

Awards & Rankings

24
#24 Most Shared Album of 2013

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. mrschwar
    Oct 28, 2013
    10
    Stick with this one. There's magic in it everywhere. Will Sheff's best singing, most moving lyrics (aside from Savannah Smiles)...all buriedStick with this one. There's magic in it everywhere. Will Sheff's best singing, most moving lyrics (aside from Savannah Smiles)...all buried in a brew of the musical memories of our childhood.… Full Review »
  2. t_metzz
    Sep 5, 2013
    8
    No Black Sheep Boy but still a very solid album. Large variety of styles that they had yet to touch on. Very valuable and nostalgic. AllowNo Black Sheep Boy but still a very solid album. Large variety of styles that they had yet to touch on. Very valuable and nostalgic. Allow some song are a bit boring, songs like PInk Slips, On a Balcony, and It was my Season hold it up.… Full Review »
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