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[Expendable.]

My friend has a promo, gonna check it out this week!

another impression:

I heard it with a friend who had a promo. It's quite good, certainly the most accessible thing they've ever done. But it didn't leave a lasting impression on me at first listen. But then, this is an Okkervil River record, and they never sound good the first time around. So that could change.

But i didn't hear a song as good as Another Radio Song, Seas Too Far To Reach, A King & A Queen or A Stone. Hope i'm wrong. White Shadow Waltz and The Rise were standouts for sure. Maybe they'll grow on me.

 

[Expendable.]

Spin's 8 out of 10 review: http://www.spin.com/reviews/okkervil-river-i-am-very-far-jagjaguwar

These are the knottiest songs that Sheff has ever written, often recalling Dylan in deep-basement mode, and he places a greater emphasis on mood and slow-burning groove than ever before. Complex melodies unfold slowly, and the drums are mixed so loud and dry that the snare on "The Valley" opens Far with a virtual smack in the mouth. Sheff indulges his inner Phil Spector on "Wake and Be Fine" and "Rider," which were cut live in the studio with seven guitarists and dual drummers, bassists, and piano players. The results are simultaneously raw and symphonic, always ascending higher while on the verge of total collapse.

 

[Expendable.]

Pretty good album so far, can't wait to listen to it more!

 

[Dries]

Pretty good album so far, can't wait to listen to it more!

Has it leaked?

 

[Enron]

heard some of this on MPR's The Current the other day. Really liked it.

 

[Expendable.]

Has it leaked?

Yeah, this morning. Listened to it 3x so far. It's different than BSB and TSN. Not as a poppy as the latter. I don't love it, but it is good.

 

[Dries]

Yeah, this morning. Listened to it 3x so far. It's different than BSB and TSN. Not as a poppy as the latter. I don't love it, but it is good.

Oh shit.

 

[Expendable.]

Scheff tweeted this:

One time a guy broke my car window & stole my guitar. Then he stubbed a cigarette out on my dashboard. That's kind of how I feel right now.

I guess he is the opposite of Robin Pecknold when it comes to leaks.

 

[Expendable.]

Ha, guess he was joking:

I don't want to get all uncool about it, this kind of thing just always feels weird in a way it's hard to articulate.

Like a stranger walking up to you and giving you a wet willie.

And then blogging about it.

Eh, I guess it has to happen sometime.

Okay, that's it. I think I've passed all the way through to acceptance!

I absolutely did not go through denial. No way. Not a chance.

 

[Mifune]

I don't think he's joking so much as admitting to having mixed feelings about the whole thing. Which I think is understandable.

 

[LaneDS]

I need to just accept that they're not going to top Black Sheep Boy. The few tracks I've heard from this just really do not impress unfortunately, but I'll give the album a few listens before writing it off. I'd like to be surprised, of course.

 

[Dries]

Listened to the first four songs and am fucking impressed.. Goddamn, this really is my favorite band. Feeling so happy.

 

[Meliorism]

I need to just accept that they're not going to top Black Sheep Boy. The few tracks I've heard from this just really do not impress unfortunately, but I'll give the album a few listens before writing it off. I'd like to be surprised, of course.

Down the River of Golden Dreams is their best release IMO.

 

[LaneDS]

Down the River of Golden Dreams is their best release IMO.

Also a really good selection.

As for this new album, I am not sure I'm going to come around on it. Pretty sure I actively dislike it despite my trying to enjoy it, which is certainly not a good sign.

 

[Expendable.]

tomorrow at 7pm they will play the entire album via webcast - http://pitchfork.com/news/42338-okkervil-river-to-debut-new-lp-in-live-webcast

 

[Expendable.]

Stream the entire album here: http://onethirtybpm.com/media/full-album-stream-okkervil-river-i-am-very-far/

This gets better with more listens.

 

[Dries]

It really does. Hanging from a hit is so fucking. FUCKING beautiful. Just omg.

 

[Yaboosh]

This album (MP3 download) is $3.99 today on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004XU0C2O/?tag=neogaf0e-20

 

[Expendable.]

nice acoustic version of Wake and Be Fine [video]