On Okkervil River - The Stage Names

I'd heard of Okkervil River in 2007, I think, because of their album, Black Sheep Boy, which I thought was pretty good. I think I included some tracks from it on a recent post. I just listened to this album of theirs, however, and absolutely loved every little bit of it and had to share it in its entirety with you.

I'm short on time, so I'll post all the songs at once and give you just a few words on each (or be lazier still and copy their lyrics).

Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe
I like how the last line in each verse flows and, of course, the movie theme.

Unless It's Kicks
This was the first song that caught my attention, and the one I play on repeat the most. It's just so catchy, so exciting and upbeat. I like the lyrics and his staccato delivery.

What breaks this heart the most is the ghost of some rock and roll fan
Exploding up from the stands
With her heart opened up
And I want to tell her, "Your love isn't lost,"
Say, "My heart is still crossed,"
Scream, "You're so wonderful!"
What a dream in the dark

A Hand To Take Hold of the Scene
Again, I like the energy of the song and the fairy-tale like lyrics that are also a bit meta, as the characters seem to be talking about someone leading their story in a positive direction.

She rises up like a yawn, grips my heart like a claw, splits apart like a jaw, like an eye
And she asks me with a sigh:
"When we're so far from right
When we're losing the fight
When we're letting the light weaken its beam
Oh, oh
Is there a hand to take hold of the scene?"

Savannah Smiles
While this beautiful song seems like something I would sing if I had a daughter and grew out of touch with her, it's actually based on a true story from a magazine article about an adult film star who killed herself. You can find the details about 2/3 of the way down the page here. It's essentially still a song of regret and loss, but the singer/songwriter read/included much more into it.

Plus Ones
This clever song puts a twist on a bunch of well known songs by adding one to their titular sums. See how many you can catch. Again, the commenters on songmeanings.com have found them all.

A Girl In Port
If this is indeed a song about a one night stand, it's the sweetest of that type I've ever heard.

Oh, I'm a weak and lonely sort
Though I'm not sailing just for sport
I've come to feel
Out on the sea
These urgent lives
Press against me
I'm just a guest
I'm not a part
With my tender head
With my easy heart
These several years out on the sea
Made me empty, cold, and clear
Pour yourself into me

Let fall your soft and swaying skirt
Let fall your shoes
Let fall your shirt
I'm not the lady-killing sort
Enough to hurt
A girl in port

You Can't Hold The Hand Of A Rock And Roll Man
Not sure what to say about this song. I like the music and sound most of all.

Title Track
Will Sheff knows a thing or two about diction, phrasing, and enunciation, and it really shows on slower songs like this one (where he doesn't let the slow pace make the song feel lethargic or dull), though I really like his pronunciations on all the songs.

John Allyn Smith Sails
I think Dave Eggers would be proud of the imagination and self-conscious drama of this song.

Love To A Monster
And finally, as bitter break-up revenge songs go, few can touch this.

Yeah, so here I go, just exploding the hope we'll be speaking
Some day, years from now, seeking friendship and understanding.
Yeah, I hope you get angry, and hurt, and have the hardest of landings.
And I hope your new man thinks of me when he sees what a number I did on you.

I grow tired of this song. Turn my eyes
To the blonde in the bleachers.
She's a lovely young creature.
I think she's seeking adventure.
I think she's ready to see that the world isn't so sweet or so tender.
I won't break her, just bend her, and make her into my new ringer for you.