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We went to see "There Will Be Blood" Tonight. Amazing!!!
But more on that later. Not, when there is still good music to be talking about.
Best Albums of the Year #2
The Stage Names- Okkervil River
When most bands complain about the stress of fame, it is laughable. The myth of the tired band who got famomus despite the fact that it "was only about the music" has been played out so many times, you never can believe them. But, then walks in Okkervil River. This Austin, TX band is so literary and revolutionary, you are surprised by their fame. As if it is some sort of cruel joke that they got famous in spite of themselves.
So, their new album, The Stage Names is a perfect follow up to their 2005 Black Sheep Boy sessions. Based off of a character from Tim Harden, Black Sheep Boy explores the alienation one finds when one returns home after a prolonged journey.
The Stage Names flips that. They now realize that flawed as home may be, it is infinitely better than the empty, shallow miles of touring with your rock n roll band.
The opening track "Our life is not a movie, or maybe" reminds you (or introduces you) of why you love Okkerville River so incredibly much. The pounding, driving drums mixed with the raw power of the guitar and piano make this music not only danceable, but also something more...it is like a march, mixed with a funeral dirge. Sure, life sucks, and in the end we will all die. But we might as well have a good time while we are at it.
The album continues from stop to stop. Seeing amazing sights and meeting stranger and stranger people. Ultimately, all this strangeness is so overwhelming, one has no choice but to become jaded, lest our minds explode from the overwhelming confusion of life. Emergency rooms filled with accident victims, dead porn stars, smoky venue to smoky venue, life in a stale bus, etc.
"Plus Ones" is so full of music references, its like a I Spy of musical history
My personal favorites are the 1, 2, combo of "The Title Track" and "John Allyn Smith Sails". A frustrated life turns into a nightmarish lost soul wishing to find the calm serenity of a quiet home. And their cover of the classic mariner song "Sloop John B." gives the song a whole new meaning with such searing longing and pain, you too will be longing for home--where ever that may be.
In short, I love this album and I am listening to it constantly. Constantly. When I am not listening to my number one album, which I am hoping to post about tomorrow before I leave for Boston.
Mirah and Spectraphone International- Share This Place
But more on that later. Not, when there is still good music to be talking about.
Best Albums of the Year #2
The Stage Names- Okkervil River
When most bands complain about the stress of fame, it is laughable. The myth of the tired band who got famomus despite the fact that it "was only about the music" has been played out so many times, you never can believe them. But, then walks in Okkervil River. This Austin, TX band is so literary and revolutionary, you are surprised by their fame. As if it is some sort of cruel joke that they got famous in spite of themselves.
So, their new album, The Stage Names is a perfect follow up to their 2005 Black Sheep Boy sessions. Based off of a character from Tim Harden, Black Sheep Boy explores the alienation one finds when one returns home after a prolonged journey.
The Stage Names flips that. They now realize that flawed as home may be, it is infinitely better than the empty, shallow miles of touring with your rock n roll band.
The opening track "Our life is not a movie, or maybe" reminds you (or introduces you) of why you love Okkerville River so incredibly much. The pounding, driving drums mixed with the raw power of the guitar and piano make this music not only danceable, but also something more...it is like a march, mixed with a funeral dirge. Sure, life sucks, and in the end we will all die. But we might as well have a good time while we are at it.
The album continues from stop to stop. Seeing amazing sights and meeting stranger and stranger people. Ultimately, all this strangeness is so overwhelming, one has no choice but to become jaded, lest our minds explode from the overwhelming confusion of life. Emergency rooms filled with accident victims, dead porn stars, smoky venue to smoky venue, life in a stale bus, etc.
"Plus Ones" is so full of music references, its like a I Spy of musical history
My personal favorites are the 1, 2, combo of "The Title Track" and "John Allyn Smith Sails". A frustrated life turns into a nightmarish lost soul wishing to find the calm serenity of a quiet home. And their cover of the classic mariner song "Sloop John B." gives the song a whole new meaning with such searing longing and pain, you too will be longing for home--where ever that may be.
In short, I love this album and I am listening to it constantly. Constantly. When I am not listening to my number one album, which I am hoping to post about tomorrow before I leave for Boston.
Click to viewMirah and Spectraphone International- Share This Place