• Record Label: ATO
  • Release Date: Apr 27, 2018
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Negative: 1 out of 8
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  1. Apr 30, 2018
    8
    Basically Okkervil River+Saxophone and psychodelic touches. Lyrics might be more simple, but not in a bad way. Love the band.
  2. Apr 27, 2019
    8
    This album is Okkervil River doing what they do best, changing lanes and setting a new course. Lyrically it's far more joyful than their previous couple of albums. The production and arrangements are immediately appealing, even if some of the songs lack the allegorical kick in the marbles that old Okkervil River songs deliver. I have a feeling this album may feel unapproachable for newThis album is Okkervil River doing what they do best, changing lanes and setting a new course. Lyrically it's far more joyful than their previous couple of albums. The production and arrangements are immediately appealing, even if some of the songs lack the allegorical kick in the marbles that old Okkervil River songs deliver. I have a feeling this album may feel unapproachable for new listeners to the band (which might explain some of the low reviews), but for long-time fans, especially those who liked "Away" as much as I did, there is more than enough to savor here. In many ways it feels like a sequel to that album, or like an upbeat counterpoint.

    Frankly, this band is simply not recognized enough for their place on the fringes of pop rock, indie, and folk; they constantly borrow formulas from the best of the best but never in a way that sounds trite, and always combining them in dramatic and creative ways. There isn't a single album in their catalogue that doesn't stand out from the others in some way--and if that's not the work of a genius at work, I don't know what is. I imagine history will remember them more fondly than the present. Rock on Will, thanks for all the great tunes.
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  3. Jun 5, 2018
    6
    I have a topsy turvy/up and down relationship with Okkervil River, half the time their vocal-centric indie impresses - the rest of the time their OTT ways grate. 'Away' saw the band hit a sweet spot and career high in terms of satisfying my own particular sensibilities...sadly 'Rainbow Rain' I find takes a step back into the more meandering and somewhat shapeless warbly fodder I can takeI have a topsy turvy/up and down relationship with Okkervil River, half the time their vocal-centric indie impresses - the rest of the time their OTT ways grate. 'Away' saw the band hit a sweet spot and career high in terms of satisfying my own particular sensibilities...sadly 'Rainbow Rain' I find takes a step back into the more meandering and somewhat shapeless warbly fodder I can take or leave. A few above passable tracks is the limit to how highly I can recommend this one. Expand
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 18
  2. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Jun 11, 2018
    60
    Clearly Sheff is at something of a crossroads in his life and his world view is changing; perhaps he doesn’t quite know how best to make everything fit together just right. Given time, there are moments of this album that will shine, it’s just a shame there’s so few of them. 

  2. May 24, 2018
    67
    Aside from the delightfully twee absurdity of that Eighties pop, the chorus of "Don't Move Back to L.A.," a Seventies folk-country plea to a lover not to abandon New York City (where Sheff now lives) for the temperate climate and friendlier rental market of Los Angeles, almost takes on an R&B tone in its earnestness. Sheff, however, still lends his compositions heft.
  3. Mojo
    May 21, 2018
    60
    Songs of promise, resilience and the occasional unpredictable turn. [Jul 2018, p.98]