Wed 22 August 2007 - "Okkervil River":http://www.last.fm/music/Okkervil+RiverReviewCheck out the full review over at "pitchforkmedia":http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/20552-black-sheep-boyWill Sheff sounds mad. Not angry mad, but the other mad-- nearly hysterical. On Okkervil River's fourth album, Black Sheep Boy, he oversings beyond the limits of taste and vocal cords, either belting the notes forcefully or overenunciating his syllables at quieter moments. You can even hear his agitated spittle hitting the microphone on "For Real". It's as if his voice is too small a vessel for the big ideas and even bigger emotions that drive the band.BioAccording to "last.fm":http://www.last.fm/music/Okkervil+River/+wiki, Okkervil River is a mutual project of Will Robison Sheff (vocals, guitar), and Seth Warren (guitar). They met and collaborated together writing song when both were still in high school in Meriden, NH. After relocating to Austin, TX in the late 90's, the duo decided to re-assemble the band with the addition of Zachary Thomas (vocals, bass), Jonathan Meiburg (vocals, banjo), and drummer Mark Pedini, Okkervil River reappeared. In 1998, the group self-released their first disc, the "Bedroom" (EP), followed a year later with their debut album "Stars Too Small to Use". During the succeeding years, the band regularly played live on numerous occasions, including an appearance at the South by Southwest festival in 2000. The group's second album, Don't Fall in Love With Everyone You See, showed up in 2002, re-affirming the band's cult all over the Texas music scene.In August of 2004 the band put the finishing touches on their third full-length album, Black Sheep Boy. It was ultimately released on April 5, 2005. As a result of this release's overwhelming success, Okkervil River followed up with an EP entitled Black Sheep Boy Appendix on November 22, 2005.On April 17, 2006, Okkervil River signed with Virgin/EMI in Europe. The label re-released Black Sheep Boy and its follow-up Black Sheep Boy Appendix as a double disc on April 28, 2006.Current band members (as of Nov. '05):Will Sheff - acoustic guitar, vocals, harmonica (keyboard occasionally)Jonathan Meiburg - keyboard, accordion, banjo, electric guitarTravis Nelson - drumsScott Brackett - Trumpet, keyboards, tape playerPatrick Pestorius - bassBrian Cassidy - electric guitar, pedal steel, mandolin, melodica (keyboard and accordion when on tour without Jonathan)TracksThe "top 10 most popular tracks":http://www.last.fm/music/Okkervil+River by Okkervil River are:1 For Real2 Black3 Black Sheep Boy4 In a Radio Song5 The Latest Toughs6 A Stone7 Get Big8 A King and a Queen9 Song of Our So-Called Friend10 So Come Back, I Am WaitingFeatured TrackFor RealAlbums1999 Stars Too Small to Use - Jound2002 Don't Fall in Love with Everyone You See - Jagjaguwar2003 Down the River of Golden Dreams - Jagjaguwar2005 Black Sheep Boy - Jagjaguwar2007 The Stage Names - Jagjaguwar"Lyrics and Guitar Tabs":http://tacowiki.net/Bands/OkkervilRiver"Official Myspace":http://www.myspace.com/okkervilriver"Official Website":http://www.okkervilriver.com/
dermahrk says
Interesting. Any time the words "chamber pop" are uttered, my curiousity is piqued. I like the instrumentation and the song, Amy's voice is nice but I can't say I care for Torquil's. (TORQUIL? WTF?). Thanks.
Wed 22 August 2007 - "Okkervil River":http://www.last.fm/music/Okkervil+RiverReviewCheck out the full review over at "pitchforkmedia":http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/20552-black-sheep-boyWill Sheff sounds mad. Not angry mad, but the other mad-- nearly hysterical. On Okkervil River's fourth album, Black Sheep Boy, he oversings beyond the limits of taste and vocal cords, either belting the notes forcefully or overenunciating his syllables at quieter moments. You can even hear his agitated spittle hitting the microphone on "For Real". It's as if his voice is too small a vessel for the big ideas and even bigger emotions that drive the band.BioAccording to "last.fm":http://www.last.fm/music/Okkervil+River/+wiki, Okkervil River is a mutual project of Will Robison Sheff (vocals, guitar), and Seth Warren (guitar). They met and collaborated together writing song when both were still in high school in Meriden, NH. After relocating to Austin, TX in the late 90's, the duo decided to re-assemble the band with the addition of Zachary Thomas (vocals, bass), Jonathan Meiburg (vocals, banjo), and drummer Mark Pedini, Okkervil River reappeared. In 1998, the group self-released their first disc, the "Bedroom" (EP), followed a year later with their debut album "Stars Too Small to Use". During the succeeding years, the band regularly played live on numerous occasions, including an appearance at the South by Southwest festival in 2000. The group's second album, Don't Fall in Love With Everyone You See, showed up in 2002, re-affirming the band's cult all over the Texas music scene.In August of 2004 the band put the finishing touches on their third full-length album, Black Sheep Boy. It was ultimately released on April 5, 2005. As a result of this release's overwhelming success, Okkervil River followed up with an EP entitled Black Sheep Boy Appendix on November 22, 2005.On April 17, 2006, Okkervil River signed with Virgin/EMI in Europe. The label re-released Black Sheep Boy and its follow-up Black Sheep Boy Appendix as a double disc on April 28, 2006.Current band members (as of Nov. '05):Will Sheff - acoustic guitar, vocals, harmonica (keyboard occasionally)Jonathan Meiburg - keyboard, accordion, banjo, electric guitarTravis Nelson - drumsScott Brackett - Trumpet, keyboards, tape playerPatrick Pestorius - bassBrian Cassidy - electric guitar, pedal steel, mandolin, melodica (keyboard and accordion when on tour without Jonathan)TracksThe "top 10 most popular tracks":http://www.last.fm/music/Okkervil+River by Okkervil River are:1 For Real2 Black3 Black Sheep Boy4 In a Radio Song5 The Latest Toughs6 A Stone7 Get Big8 A King and a Queen9 Song of Our So-Called Friend10 So Come Back, I Am WaitingFeatured TrackFor RealAlbums1999 Stars Too Small to Use - Jound2002 Don't Fall in Love with Everyone You See - Jagjaguwar2003 Down the River of Golden Dreams - Jagjaguwar2005 Black Sheep Boy - Jagjaguwar2007 The Stage Names - Jagjaguwar"Lyrics and Guitar Tabs":http://tacowiki.net/Bands/OkkervilRiver"Official Myspace":http://www.myspace.com/okkervilriver"Official Website":http://www.okkervilriver.com/
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