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The Stage Names
by
The Stage Names Image
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 28 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 64 Ratings

  • Summary: The fourth studio album from the Austin, Texas-based band mixes it up with the help of Jim Eno of Spoon.

Top Track

Savannah Smiles
Midnight late last week, my daughter's diary Didn't know what it might be until it was open I only read one page and then put it away Talk about your... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. Delusions of Adequacy
    100
    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. Prefix Magazine
    90
    With his band's fourth studio album, frontman Will Sheff stakes a claim here for the right to be called the best songwriter working right now.
  3. The A.V. Club
    83
    The Stage Names is a relatively straightforward roots-rock record, rounded out by clever, pop-culture-obsessed songs.
  4. Drowned In Sound
    80
    Simple, patient, dreary (in a good way) music dominates this soundtrack, providing the perfect accompaniment for Sheff to wail off about doctor and patient sex in a shrink office, society’s pervasive attraction to celebrity and the plights of aging, among other topics.
  5. Austin Chronicle
    78
    The urgency is still there, as guitars and pianos take turns screaming during the breakdown, but the violence is replaced with a sense of frivolity and playfulness that lingers throughout the group's fifth release.
  6. The New York Times
    70
    While this album isn’t as riveting as earlier Okkervil River CDs, there’s plenty to enjoy, and plenty of reason for hope.
  7. Uncut
    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]
    All this publication's reviews

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User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 34
  3. Negative: 0 out of 34
  1. SaintGod
    Jun 21, 2009
    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 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
  2. HaroldB.
    Sep 12, 2007
    10
    Will Sheff proves yet again he is among the best lyricists in music today. The Stage Names is easily among the best albums of 2007.
  4. PatD
    Aug 9, 2007
    10
    Okkervil River comes back with another amazing album. This is one of those albums that you really have to let grow on you before you can Okkervil River comes back with another amazing album. This is one of those albums that you really have to let grow on you before you can really appreciate it. On par with 'Don't Fall in Love with Everyone You See."… Expand
  5. DavidH.
    Nov 8, 2007
    10
    Without a doubt one of the best albums of 2007. Even repeated listening won't get you bored of it; you'll grow to love each and Without a doubt one of the best albums of 2007. Even repeated listening won't get you bored of it; you'll grow to love each and every song even more.… Expand
  6. ToddW
    Aug 10, 2007
    9
    If Okkervil River is a real place, I want to spend the rest of my life sunning myself on its banks and swimming in its refreshing waters. The If Okkervil River is a real place, I want to spend the rest of my life sunning myself on its banks and swimming in its refreshing waters. The Stage Names does what most albums fail miserably to do: It tops what was thought to be untoppable, while at the same time sounding old yet new and fresh. Will Sheff borrows from Forever Changes, Pet Sounds, and In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, as well as some of the kitschiest bad 80's rock, with equal aplomb. In retrospect, Black Sheep Boy was the appetizer, for The Stage Names is no doubt a main course. And like a great Italian meal, may there be many more this tasty to come. Sheff has given us another candidate for 2007 Album of the Year.… Expand
  7. BrandtB
    Aug 27, 2007
    9
    This album should be in every indie-lover's Top Five of 2007 list. "Plus Ones", "John Allyn Smith Sails", and "A Girl in Port" are among This album should be in every indie-lover's Top Five of 2007 list. "Plus Ones", "John Allyn Smith Sails", and "A Girl in Port" are among the best songs that I've heard thus far this year. Will Sheff joins Sam Beam in songwriting capabilities with this album. Let's see if Iron & Wine's latest album can compete with "The Stage Names." I have a feeling it can.… Expand
  8. jaydub
    Aug 10, 2007
    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, 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

See all 34 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

38
#38 Best Album of 2007
89
#89 Most Discussed Album of 2007

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