Okkervil River - The Stand-Ins

It's always a good sign that a leak drought has ended when one of the most anticipated records of the fall leaks. Yes, today the internet gods have given us Okkervil River's new album, The Stand-Ins, due for release on September 9th. Written as the second half of the originally planned Stage Names double-album, The Stand-Ins is more than just a collection of b-sides that didn't make it on The Stage Names. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's as good as its companion album, but there are definitely some great moments within these eleven tracks. "Lost Coastlines" is a jaunty ride (with perfect vocal harmonies) that finds the Okkervil boys "rocking and rolling on waves" as they've "lost their way." The next track, "Singer Songwriter" is undeniably catchy, with Will Sheff's cathartic vocals spitting out each lyric in a heavy dose of sarcasm and a clean guitar riff that weaves in and out, grounding the song in its melody. Later, there's a crescendo in "Blue Tulips" that can only be described as "goosebump inducing," brilliantly boppy guitar riffs and handclaps on "Pop Lie" that make it the most catchy song on the record, and the best melancholic lyrics you've ever heard on the piano ballad, "On Tour With Zykos." While it may not measure up to The Stage Names, a new Okkervil River record is still a new Okkervil record, aka infinitely better than most albums that will be released this year. Why are you still reading? Download this record, damnit!

DOWNLOAD: Link Removed Per Label Request [Jagjaguwar]
Recommended Tracks: "Lost Coastlines," "Singer Songwriter," "Starry Stairs," "Pop Lie," "On Tour With Zykos."