Okkervil River
The Stand Ins
Jagjaguwar (2008)
"But there's this idea that nobody can tell you if something is good or not, you have to decide whether you think it's good. And nobody is more of an authority than anyone else." The quote above is part of a response singer Will Sheff said when interviewed about his then forthcoming record The Stage Names. The interviewer had asked if he was worried about alienating those who had latched on to the melodrama put forth in the album's predecessor Black Sheep Boy. Admittedly, it's been awhile since I've done a review. I've been thinking a lot about why that is. I read somewhere that the most important thing when taking the role of a critic is to remain objective. The writer phrased this as being disinterested with the subject. Paraphrasing, and likely misinterpreting, what he meant by that is a critic isn't writing to put forth their own thoughts and feelings about anything, they're writing to demonstrate an accurate depiction of what something is. The music I've always liked best resonates personally, and while I'm aware that my own connection might not be shared with another person, I can't disassociate from it. I don't know how to criticize anything. … Read more
Okkervil River
The Stand Ins
Jagjaguwar (2008)
I have this vaguely unpleasant sensation lately when listening to The Stand Ins that Okkervil River's Will Sheff (guitar and … Read more
These Arms Are Snakes
Tail Swallower & Dove
Suicide Squeeze (2008)
Once again I come into a new full-length from These Arms are Snakes filled with expectations. And while I am … Read more
Steve Von Till
A Grave is a Grim Horse
Neurot (2008)
For those who do not know who Steve Von Till is, Von Till is a guitarist and vocalist in the … Read more
Alpha & Omega
Devil's Bed
6131 (2008)
You know when George sings on Blacklisted's Heavier than Heaven, Lonelier than God and you really liked that grungey overblown … Read more
