Weekly Release Spotlight: Okkervil River
Posted on 5/09/2011
Okkervil River
I Am Very Far
[Jagjaguwar]
I Am Very Far
[Jagjaguwar]
Since the release of their first full-length in 2002, Okkervil River has found a niche as the-band-that-consistently-churns-out-a-high-quality-album-every-couple-of-years. Simultaneously appreciated and taken for granted for their unique and excessively hyphenated title, Okkervil River has maintained their track record stupendously and, well, consistently churned out high quality albums every couple of years without fail.
2011 has showcased a transforming musical landscape with the rise of game-changers from James Blake to the hooligans of Odd Future. This year poses the question: Is there still room in the ebb-and-flow for Okkervil River's relatively static brand of folk-rock? Their sixth LP, I Am Very Far, answers that question with a resounding affirmative… and repeatedly punches us in the face for asking it in the first place.
As "The Valley" sinisterly stomps in to begin the 52-minute duration of the record, it becomes clear that the Okkervil River "signature sound" isn't quite so static anymore. I Am Very Far is, at times, a darker, heavier record than we've come to expect from the band. Yet, for every point of prog-y rock on the album, there's a counterpoint from any given location on the music spectrum. Whether it be the breakbeat of "Piratess" (a song with a bassline that could have very well found its way onto Thriller), the familiar Okkervil territory of "Lay of the Last Survivor," the Springsteeny piano anthem "Rider," or the epic, climactic sing-a-long "Your Past Life As A Blast," the entire album shows off varied influences and makes bold moves to great success.
I Am Very Far both reaffirms Okkervil River's old friend comfort we've come to love so very much, and sets twains and boundaries in new directions for the band. It is an exciting, nostalgic record from beginning to end, and maintains the scientific law that at any given time, any given Okkervil River record could very well be your favorite.
2011 has showcased a transforming musical landscape with the rise of game-changers from James Blake to the hooligans of Odd Future. This year poses the question: Is there still room in the ebb-and-flow for Okkervil River's relatively static brand of folk-rock? Their sixth LP, I Am Very Far, answers that question with a resounding affirmative… and repeatedly punches us in the face for asking it in the first place.
As "The Valley" sinisterly stomps in to begin the 52-minute duration of the record, it becomes clear that the Okkervil River "signature sound" isn't quite so static anymore. I Am Very Far is, at times, a darker, heavier record than we've come to expect from the band. Yet, for every point of prog-y rock on the album, there's a counterpoint from any given location on the music spectrum. Whether it be the breakbeat of "Piratess" (a song with a bassline that could have very well found its way onto Thriller), the familiar Okkervil territory of "Lay of the Last Survivor," the Springsteeny piano anthem "Rider," or the epic, climactic sing-a-long "Your Past Life As A Blast," the entire album shows off varied influences and makes bold moves to great success.
I Am Very Far both reaffirms Okkervil River's old friend comfort we've come to love so very much, and sets twains and boundaries in new directions for the band. It is an exciting, nostalgic record from beginning to end, and maintains the scientific law that at any given time, any given Okkervil River record could very well be your favorite.
Stream: Okkervil River - "Rider"