The Stand Ins

Today's Music That Jason Likes is Okkervil River's The Stand Ins. This album is comprised of material conceived as part of the Stage Names sessions but was recorded and released separately, almost a full year later.

This album is probably not what I would consider to be Okkervil River's best work, but it's still pretty good, nonetheless. It has a notably different feel to it than The Stage Names, but it still sounds like Okkervil River, very much emotionally charged folk-rock with the occasional horn. Don't get me wrong, this is a pretty good album, plenty of depth and emotion, and some goofy song names, but I'd be lying if I said I enjoyed it as much as The Stage Names. I suppose this has to do more with the comparisons between the two than the quality of Stand Ins.

Stage Names seems to have more energy than Stand Ins; hence, it pulls the listener in more easily. Stand Ins is a more demure album, one that is not as immediately rewarding, but one that probably offers more introspection given an investment of time and attention. I'm midway through my second listen of Stand Ins and while it doesn't have the energy or the stage presence (if I can say that about an album) of Stage Names, it in no way represents a failure.

I suppose there is a greater theme here, about artists attempting to imitate themselves, or maybe whether there is greater achievement in glorious, ambitious failure rather than comfortable, modest success, but that is perhaps talk for another day.

In Other News:
I feel a sleep crash coming on, and I hope to crap that it holds up until I get home from the gym.

I also bought a scooter this week, a silver Yamaha Vino. Who wants to give me a ride out to the dealer, so I can pick it up?