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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
First let me say that if I'd bought the standard edition of this record then it's possible the charm of this band would have passed me by. The main Black Sheep Boy record is a good record, but would probably have taken more listens than I'd have given it were it not for the 'appendix' as the second disc is known.
Where the main album is a grower, the appendix gives an immediate hit, beautiful songs, beautifully structured. The main album is slower, taking more effort to get into and is in my opinion a little staid and straight by comparison.
My advice is to purchase, get into the appendix first and then go to the main record itself. The main record is good, it just doesn't have the same initial pull.
Where the main album is a grower, the appendix gives an immediate hit, beautiful songs, beautifully structured. The main album is slower, taking more effort to get into and is in my opinion a little staid and straight by comparison.
My advice is to purchase, get into the appendix first and then go to the main record itself. The main record is good, it just doesn't have the same initial pull.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Such passion. Such furious anger. Such pain and heartache. Ending with sad resignation as all such things must or they'll drive you crazy. A genuinely progressive modern concept album but don't let that put you off.
16 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
For anyone who came to Okkervil River through the quiet country warmth of Don't Fall In Love With Everyone You See or its more expansive and ambitious younger brother Down The River Of Golden Dreams, Black Sheep Boy is going to be a surprise. The gentle cover of Tim Hardin's Black Sheep Boy is a wonderful, if misleading, introduction, setting the scene for the titular tragic and violent anti-hero who will unfold over the course of the album. It is only when the muted guitar chords and the lingering menace in Sheff's voice give way to a vitriolic and barely controlled outburst on For Real that the truth becomes evident; Will Sheff is angry and he has carried Okkervil River perilously close to some dark corner of his psyche.
Never has Okkervil River's self-imposed tag of folk/punk rock been so apt than on this record. Yet no combination of those genres is expansive, ambitious or cinematic enough to incorporate Black Sheep Boy without the danger of being eaten alive by Sheff's creation. This album is a monster but, like its protagonist, it is one capable of extraordinary tenderness. This is most apparent on the astounding In A Radio Song, Get Big and the incredibly touching King And A Queen. These songs provide an emotional and empathetic centre to the record, counteracting the violent nature of For Real and opening the listener up to the Jekyll and Hyde nature of the Black Sheep Boy. It becomes apparent on songs such as Song Of Our So-Called Friend and Black that it is rejection and cruelty that are responsible for its violence and anger, especially on Black where he viciously wishes harm on the man who abused the object of his affections as a child.
It is also notable that Okkervil River have shaken off almost all of their country trappings and the organ heavy sound of Down The River Of Golden Dreams. Instead, they opt for a louder, more guitar driven sound, similar to that hinted at on the Sleep And Wake Up Songs EP. Less pretentious than the 'lit-rock' crowd with whom they have inevitably been associated, Okkervil River show themselves here to be more confident and streamlined than before without sacrificing any of their craft. Simply put, this album is astounding. And coupled with the near perfect Appendix, especially Last Love Song For Now and the rollicking No Key, No Plan, this is a must have for any fan of real music. Okkervil River may only go from strength to strength but this is the benchmark against which everything they do will be judged.
Never has Okkervil River's self-imposed tag of folk/punk rock been so apt than on this record. Yet no combination of those genres is expansive, ambitious or cinematic enough to incorporate Black Sheep Boy without the danger of being eaten alive by Sheff's creation. This album is a monster but, like its protagonist, it is one capable of extraordinary tenderness. This is most apparent on the astounding In A Radio Song, Get Big and the incredibly touching King And A Queen. These songs provide an emotional and empathetic centre to the record, counteracting the violent nature of For Real and opening the listener up to the Jekyll and Hyde nature of the Black Sheep Boy. It becomes apparent on songs such as Song Of Our So-Called Friend and Black that it is rejection and cruelty that are responsible for its violence and anger, especially on Black where he viciously wishes harm on the man who abused the object of his affections as a child.
It is also notable that Okkervil River have shaken off almost all of their country trappings and the organ heavy sound of Down The River Of Golden Dreams. Instead, they opt for a louder, more guitar driven sound, similar to that hinted at on the Sleep And Wake Up Songs EP. Less pretentious than the 'lit-rock' crowd with whom they have inevitably been associated, Okkervil River show themselves here to be more confident and streamlined than before without sacrificing any of their craft. Simply put, this album is astounding. And coupled with the near perfect Appendix, especially Last Love Song For Now and the rollicking No Key, No Plan, this is a must have for any fan of real music. Okkervil River may only go from strength to strength but this is the benchmark against which everything they do will be judged.
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