Okkervil River: The Stand Ins
Label: Jagjaguwar
Fresh on the heels of The Stage Names, one of the best albums of 2007, Will Sheff and Co. are back with a sequel that is every bit as satisfying. The Stand-Ins delivers another set of the rollicking, passionate mini-masterpieces the band has become known for. Sheff is a master storyteller, with each song unfolding like a short story. This time, many of the narratives belong to the hidden counterparts – fans, groupies, lovers and exes – of the stars in the spotlight. The results are clever, poignant and sometimes even heartbreaking. From the hilariously biting country swinger “Singer Songwriter” to the escalating ache of “Blue Tulip” and the unexpected but irresistible synth pop of “Pop Lie,” the songs on The Stand-Ins are impossible to forget once you’ve let them in. (Kiri)
