The Stage Names
by Okkervil River

Album details

US: 7 August 2007 on Jagjaguwar
UK: 1 October 2007 on Jagjaguwar

The literary Austin band’s fifth album follows their acclaimed 2005 effort ‘Black Sheep Boy,’ with Brian Beattie returning as producer and Spoon’s Jim Eno handling the mix.

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The critical consensus

The Will Sheff-led band drew a great deal of acclaim for Black Sheep Boy (and its subsequent "Appendix"), but would that album prove too tough an act to follow? The short answer: yes, but they come close.

At the very least, critics are certainly finding the new album looser and more lighthearted than its predecessor, although it’s relative: the subject matter is not what most people would call happy. Artist Direct finds that "some of the rough angles and emotional gravitas have been tabled in favor of good-spirited rock ‘n roll and lyrical levity," which turns out not to be a bad thing. Similarly, the Austin Chronicle hears a newfound "sense of frivolity and playfulness" in its hometown heroes. Filter admits that "Stage Names may be less ambitious than Black Sheep Boy in scope, but Sheff and crew seem more willing to experiment musically," which pays off for the band. Toronto’s Now Magazine also hears changes in sound, stating, "The Stage Names is much more of a balls-out rock album than most of Okkervil River’s oeuvre, and also more orchestral and layered." Treble simply argues that the new disc is "arguably better" than anything Sheff has managed before.

Count Under The Radar among The Stage Names’ biggest fans: "Each song is expertly crafted, with an amazingly punchy set of melodies delviered by an extremely tight band." Pitchfork also raves about the disc and the band, finding that "few groups can so nimbly or inventively use music as an extension of lyrical themes or vice versa," while PopMatters claims it as "one of the year’s essential albums" and Alternative Press calls it "a collection of gems." Harp praises it as "a poetic tour de force with both the modesty and sonic polish of a band in its prime." Stereogum loved Black Sheep Boy and enjoys the new album quite a bit too, although it notes, "If there’s anything wrong with The Stage Names it’s that at times it feels too distant, at times a tad too polished." The Village Voice, too, nitpicks, finding the "classic rock"-styled music much less appealing than the lyrics.

The one true detractor so far is Chart Attack, which enjoys only the first portion of the disc, declaring, "No song stands out and the lack of variation kills both the momentum and goodwill that the beginning works so hard to create."

While not the unqualified success that was Black Sheep Boy, The Stage Names is at the very least a very worthy successor.

- Zac Pennington, The Stranger

Review roundup

Tracklisting and media

1. Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe
   
2. Unless It Kicks
3. A Hand To Take Hold Of The Scene
4. Savannah Smiles
5. Plus Ones
6. A Girl In Port
7. You Can’t Hold The Hand Of A Rock And Roll Man
8. Title Track
9. John Allyn Smith Sails

Also on the web

• Official Artist Site
• Okkervil River @ Jagjaguwar
• Okkervil River @ MySpace