Best Albums of the Decade: #31-40

Our countdown of the best albums of the decade continues today. As any music listener knows, there were a lot of releases this decade-- many of which struck a chord with someone, somewhere, while others failed to do so. I think it's fair to say that more music came out this decade than any other, and with that comes more difficult decisions in determining what's really best. Check out the next 10 selections below-- all album streams are courtesy of Lala.com.

40. Futuresex/LoveSounds, Justin Timberlake (2006)

39. Trouble, Ray LaMontagne (2004)

38. Person Pitch, Panda Bear (2007)

37. The Ugly Organ, Cursive (2003)

36. Black Sheep Boy, Okkervil River (2005)

35. The College Dropout, Kanye West (2004)

34. Anything Else But the Truth, The Honorary Title (2004)

33. Tha Carter III, Lil' Wayne (2008)

32. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, Wilco (2002)

31. In Rainbows, Radiohead (2007)

[Previously on Animal Noises: Best Albums of the Decade: #41-50]

Weekly Top 10: Songs About Autumn

Though we're about a week late, autumn is upon us. As the signs of fall (and in Syracuse, winter) form around us, what better to ring in the new season than music? As much as I wanted all of these songs to be named "autumn-something," that didn't happen. Yet, surprisingly, the end result was still just as good. Every song here either has an autumn-esque name, evokes images of the season, or both. I think it's a pretty good time. You should check it out too if you feel like you need a playlist for walking past the orange and red leaves in the morning.

[Previously on Animal Noises: Weekly Top 10: Songs Under Two Minutes Long]

Weekly Top 10: Best Songs Named for Geographic Locations

For this week's list, we decided, for no apparent reason, that it would be fun to pick out songs named for either a city/town, state or country. We tried to avoid the obvious cliche tracks, except one, and unfortunately, two of the songs we originally wanted were not available. So, just so everyone's aware, The Beatles' "Back in the U.S.S.R." and Neutral Milk Hotel's "Holland, 1945" should have been here. Still, I think it's a pretty worthwhile list, as we tried to create variation in locations where possible. Enjoy.

Top 10 Songs Named After Countries/Cities

Music Video Monday: "For Real"

Track: For Real
Artist: Okkervil River
Album: Black Sheep Boy
Year: 2005

There are a fair amount of people who would characterize Okkervil River's 2005 release, Black Sheep Boy, as the best work of their career. For the most part, I happen to prefer 2007's The Stage Names, but I can occasionally be swayed to the BSB camp. However, my favorite song from the two is no contest. "For Real," like some other Okkervil River tracks, is about love and death-- in this case, death by murder. It's not that lead singer Will Sheff is a creepy dude. On the contrary, he's really not that bad. But, as an English major, he is extremely literary, and thus, can paint a picture with words, pretty much any way he wants to. It just so happens that he enjoys describing the feelings associated with murder. Very well, I might add.

Speaking of creepy though, we reach the video for the song, which kind of defines the word. Basically, some weirdo animated dad tries to turn his kid into the odd Black Sheep Boy character depicted on the front of the record. Once he pulls it off (using a radio), the creature eats a little girl, who happens to have a knife with her. She then reaches its heart with the knife, and pulls out the original little boy, who runs with her through the creature's body before cutting themselves out. Somehow, the creature still lives, the two kids keep running, as does the dad, as the forest they were in is now burning. I'm sure it's all a metaphor.

Best of 2008: #12, Okkervil River

Rank: #12

Album: The Stand-Ins

Artist: Okkervil River

Label: JagJaguwar

At #12, we have Okkervil River's latest effort, The Stand-Ins.  I'll start out by admitting that I really wasn't that big of a fan of this album on first, or even second or third listen.  I said as much on this blog, stating that I wasn't all that impressed.  After leaving it to the side for awhile though, I reconsidered.  When judging it as a continuation of 2007's The Stage Names, or as a stand-alone record, the mood and vibe is consistent with what Okkervil is good at- being melancholy Texans.  This group of recordings may even feature a less depressed-sounding Will Sheff than previously encountered.  Further evaluation has led me to consider this as one of their more lively records.

Initially, one may get confused by the placement and inclusion of the three instrumental-type songs (Stand Ins, One through Three, respectively).  The first, I believe, sets you up for the atmosphere you're about to encounter, in contrast to the previous album.  The rest, I'd think, simply provide a breather from the action- a change of pace, if you will.  As for the remaining eight tracks?  Prepare to find them as introspective as always, drawing from love, the trials and tribulations of life, and friends, among other themes.  The first full song, "Lost Coastlines," provides a drawn out and jazzy introduction to the album as a whole, with a fun tambourine beat, as well as, what I think is an homage to "Hearts on Fire" (by John Cafferty, from Rocky IV ) at the end.  I won't say it's a definitively the same, but well, in my mind, it's pretty close.  Tunes such as "Singer Songwriter" and "Pop Lie" also add to the lively atmosphere which the band looked to create here, intermingled with some more somber tracks, including The Stage Names bonus track, "Starry Stairs".  If you're looking for comparisons for these guys, check out Neutral Milk Hotel, Two Gallants and The Good Life.

Best Track: "Lost Coastlines"

Pre-Screening: Okkervil River

Okkervil River
The Stand Ins
JagJaguwar Records
Out: September 9, 2008

By definition, a stand in is a substitute, but this album, rather acts as a compliment. For those who have heard the band's 2007 release, The Stage Names, this was designed as a continuation of the themes of that album. For the most part, they succeed in establishing continuity, but at the same time, their penchant for making dramatically different music from track to track can get in the way- which is not a bad thing for those who've listened before, but for newcomers to the band, it could be tough to see the relationship on the first few go-arounds. Still, on to the album...

Opening up the album, you can't help but feel you're listening to a different band. "The Stand Ins, One" is an instrumental track (the first of three on here), a new element for Okkervil, and it sets a tone that flirts with Radiohead and Neutral Milk Hotel at times, but in the most subtle ways of course. Moving along, the already-released first single, "Lost Coastlines" brings you right back to what you left on The Stage Names. Mixing a vibe of 'Unless It's Kicks" (The Stage Names) and "Westfall" (Don't Fall In Love With Everyone You See), this poppy hit makes you want to move, and of course, sing along. For five and a half minutes, this one displays some catchy pop sensibilities, and also throws in some plagirism with a foray into "Heart's On Fire" by John Cafferty, from the Rocky IV soundtrack.

The middle portion of the albums gives us the usual mix of high and low on any Okkervil album. "Singer Songwriter" treads the line, while the already-heard "Starry Stairs" grinds the album to a screeching halt. I personally don't like its inclusion, since many fans have the track from Itunes [ see (Shannon Wilsey on the) Starry Stairs], but that's just my own conviction. "Blue Tulips" is a direct substitute for "A Girl in Port" (TSN)- a nice, lengthy ballad- then the section of the album is brought to a close with the second instrumental.

The album's final five tracks seem to close the book on the emotions from the two records. Stand outs (no pun intended) here include "Pop Lie" and "Calling and Not Calling My Ex". Frontman Will Sheff frequently criticizes pop, and bands who purposefully write radio hits, and entertainingly enough, "Pop Lie" could be seen as just that- if it weren't for the superior orchestration and design of Okkervil River that is.

So what are my thoughts on this one? Since I've provided a good amount of mixed messages throughout the review, as always.

Okkervil River does on this album what they do best- make good indie rock, and provide enough brass to make it sound a little more intelligent. They succeeded in making two good albums in as many years, but didn't need to try to push the incorporation of the two, when I could just as easily have seen the two as seperate entities. Plus, like I said, the inclusion of "Starry Stairs" annoyed me, but I can see why it would happen, since the albums are incorporated. My question to the band: Where's "Love to a Monster"? One of my favorite Okkervil River tracks, this one was released as an emusic-only bonus, and seems to fit in with the mood they're attempting to establish on both records. I suggest this one if you're already a listener. If not, I'd go check out their best work- 2005's Black Sheep Boy, before checking out this two-release effort. Also an ideal band to listen to if you're feeling nostalgic for NMH, whose similarities are stark and continual.

Grade: 7.5/10. This could change with time, but for right now, I think it's a fair evaluation.

Lost Coastlines - Okkervil River

If the Imeem track isn't working, chances are "Lost Coastlines" will be up soon on their Last.FM.

*Note: Other commentary, outside of reviews will be seen as separate entries from now on. So, that means stay tuned during the week for features such as my "Buzz" addition and Heath's "Track of the Week", among others.