Big Two-Hearted River

Okkervil River released two cds over the past two years: 2007's The Stage Names and 2008's The Stand-Ins. The albums directly complement each other, with The Stage Names' glorification of rock stars, and The Stand-Ins subsequent destruction of the 4th wall, showing their true nature. The album covers perfectly describe this situation, where the first one shows the beautiful hand rising out of the quicksand, with the second showing the boozed up rockstar, laying in black abyss.

The albums are amazing. Between Will Sheff's yelps and croons, he perfectly writes out the lives of the characters he wishes to engage. Each song is penned perfectly, each orchestral hit that rings out behind the otherwise raucous, booming rhythm section is exquisitely composed. Okkervil River write indie rock songs that edge much closer towards punk rock than they do to bands like Death Cab.

Genres: Indie, Punk, Folk Rock
Links:

The Stage Names: http://www.mediafire.com(SLASH)?jygl2i1t0ik

The Stand-Ins: http://mediafire.com(SLASH)?ndhjamern23