The Stage Names - Okkervil River
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  • Summary: The fourth studio album from the Austin, Texas-based band mixes it up with the help of Jim Eno of Spoon.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 28
  2. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. Everything is here: melody, harmony, great lyrics, smart instrumentation and pure emotion. It's book ended by two of the best songs of the year and everything in between is music gold.
  2. Each song is expertly crafted, with an amazingly punchy set of melodies delivered by an extremely tight band with sometimes larger arangements that never become fussy. [Summer 2007, p. 76]
  3. 60
    If at times it's a little too knowing for its own good, the music itself is less claustrophobic than before. [Nov 2007, p.121]

See all 28 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 34
  2. Negative: 0 out of 34
  1. SaintGod
    10
    Better and more coherent than Black Sheep Boy, which basically means a perfect record. Can't wait to see what follows stage names and stand in's... Okkervil River: Stewardess. Will could make something incredible out of it, no doubt. I said it first. Honestly this record is perfect. Not just one of the best records of 2007 but taken with the Stand Ins after, stands among the best double albums, or taken alone, best albums, since contemporary music began. Seriously, the 60's where just a start people, get over it. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. ConnorG.
    10
    Incredible album, listen to the depth and you will be surprised. Look for the stories, the meanings and you will find that this is easily the best album out of 200...No contest, hands down. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. jaydub
    5
    Bland. Soooo bland, and so MOR, and so mid-tempo, and so amused with its own lyrical conceit, and so not emotionally convincing. Basically, the polar opposite of Black Sheep Boy. Also, waaaaay too much on the maracas. Plus, the formulaic song-writing. Boring arrangements as well. Pretty awful use of a string section. I could go on, but... Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 34 User Reviews

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