Okkervil River Warble On

I’m a big fan of warbley Austin boys Okkervil River. I saw them at SXSW two years ago and spotted the floppy lead singer Will Scheff eating outside at Supper about a year ago, so I feel a certain closeness to the band. They sing a brand of almost operatic folk-pop that just misses the emo cut-off. And their stock seems to be rising: On April 30, they were asked by Lou Reed to open for him at the Highline Ballroom’s grand opening. And their newest album, The Stage Names, is brilliant. It’s tighter, jauntier and hook-ier than their previous stuff. Expect some fanfare around the album’s August 7th release.

Here’s an oldie:

Westfall – Okkervil River

And a newie off The Stage Names:

Our Life Is Not a Movie or Maybe - Okkervil River