I'm bumping this thread, because I got Black Sheep Boy earlier today and ****ing love it. They have a somewhat unique sound for an indie band, and the only band I can really compare them too is Arcade Fire. Like a folkier Arcade Fire.

Comparing Okkervil River and Arcade Fire is kinda like comparing Radiohead and Muse. The main similarity is the vocals, which in these bands case is overly breathy and unpolished and the overall vibe they give off, which is that quirky indie thing that all the bands that anyone talks about anymore seem to possess.

I like Okkervil River though. I enjoyed that album.

I also think Black Sheep Boy should get more love!

Just got The Stage Names. Better then BSB as a whole, but For Real and Black are still my favorites.

For Me it's like this: Don't Fall in Love...>Black Sheep...>Stage Names>Down the River...>Stand Ins

Though to be fair I've not given Stand-Ins much of a chance yet.

Still like the melodic simplicity and raw emotion being let loose in "Westfalls" is their high point.

I haven't given them a listen in a while, thanks for reminding me...(:

Love this band. Will Sheff is a great songwriter, he writes songs that are novel like in quality. Favorite album is Black Sheep Boy, but the Stage Names is a close second.

BSB was the first I heard by them. I pretty much loved it immediately -- it's the dark vibe that runs through most of the album.
I listened to all of their previous stuff and found it all boring compared to BSB (but not bad). Stage Names is pretty good but there is a distinct move towards more commercial viability there. This would not bother me in itself but it comes with more refined vocals by Sheff (is he...singing on key?!) and a more generic, albeit bigger sound.

i absolutely love this band, although after listening to 'the stand ins' i felt like they weren't really sure what they wanted to be. which is okay, it's just an observation on my part. 'lost coastlines' is probably my favorite song on that album. :) mmm.

best lyrics of any band i've ever heard. perfect songwriting. i saw them live in nyc too and they were awesome