The Silver Gymnasium
August 29, 2013 11:41 PM Subscribe
Literate indie rock band Okkervil River have put together an adventure game to celebrate their new album, The Silver Gymnasium. It's the best Okkervil River game since Saints Row 2.
They should have just named themselves Overkill River, because that is what I am going to call them.
posted by Renoroc at 5:17 AM on August 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Renoroc at 5:17 AM on August 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
I first heard about Okkervil River in 2004. Back then, me and a couple of my friends were the only people I knew who ever heard of the band. For some reason, we prounced it Oak-ervil river.
After prouncing it this way for, say, 2 years, we finally saw them play a small gig at the Khyber in Philly (where Charles Bissel from the Wrens opened up). To our dismay, he yelled out, who is ready for Okkervil River (correct pronunciation). We were dumfounded.
Anyway, great band, but I saw them on their last tour, and it failed to live up to the magic that was the first show I saw them at (the second time I saw them was good as well.
Fun fact: Shearwater, Okkervil's side project, had the current drummer for Swans in them.
posted by MisantropicPainforest at 5:27 AM on August 30, 2013
After prouncing it this way for, say, 2 years, we finally saw them play a small gig at the Khyber in Philly (where Charles Bissel from the Wrens opened up). To our dismay, he yelled out, who is ready for Okkervil River (correct pronunciation). We were dumfounded.
Anyway, great band, but I saw them on their last tour, and it failed to live up to the magic that was the first show I saw them at (the second time I saw them was good as well.
Fun fact: Shearwater, Okkervil's side project, had the current drummer for Swans in them.
posted by MisantropicPainforest at 5:27 AM on August 30, 2013
It's a point of pride that OR opened for a band I was in a few times. Of course they are now awesome and successful and my old band is just some yellowed flyers! And I am occasionally complaining about how kids and a job don't leave time for music any more!
posted by bgribble at 5:30 AM on August 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by bgribble at 5:30 AM on August 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
"Literate" is an understatement when it comes to OR. They sit on the shelf next to Augie March of bands that are as much fun to read as they are to listen to.
posted by jbickers at 6:04 AM on August 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by jbickers at 6:04 AM on August 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
That was an odd bit of marketing, even given that the new album is supposed to be more autobiographical and/or nostalgic. More twee than I would expect from them.
On the other hand, I loved the mash of Will Sheff and friend singing one of the new songs at open mic nights. Looking forward to the full album.
posted by postcommunism at 6:08 AM on August 30, 2013
On the other hand, I loved the mash of Will Sheff and friend singing one of the new songs at open mic nights. Looking forward to the full album.
posted by postcommunism at 6:08 AM on August 30, 2013
That was a pretty bad little "game."
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 7:00 AM on August 30, 2013
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 7:00 AM on August 30, 2013
To our dismay, he yelled out, who is ready for Okkervil River (correct pronunciation). We were dumfounded.
I've seen them live and I still say "Oak-ervil " - they really need to introduce themselves properly at every show.
(What's the correct pronunciation?)
posted by betweenthebars at 7:32 AM on August 30, 2013
I've seen them live and I still say "Oak-ervil " - they really need to introduce themselves properly at every show.
(What's the correct pronunciation?)
posted by betweenthebars at 7:32 AM on August 30, 2013
The last track on their first album has the correct pronunciation! "Okkervil River Song", one of their best songs. It's pronounced like "ockervul" there.
posted by jason_steakums at 8:14 AM on August 30, 2013
posted by jason_steakums at 8:14 AM on August 30, 2013
Also, really psyched for this album because I Am Very Far just didn't do a lot for me, hoping this is a return to form.
posted by jason_steakums at 8:20 AM on August 30, 2013
posted by jason_steakums at 8:20 AM on August 30, 2013
Here's my Okkervil River for Beginners Spotify playlist for anyone looking for a starting point to listening to the band. (And the for Intermediates playlist if you want more.)
Anyway, great band, but I saw them on their last tour, and it failed to live up to the magic that was the first show I saw them at (the second time I saw them was good as well.
A few members from the golden days of Okkervil River live shows have gone onto other things. Drummer Travis Nelsen is no longer with the band, and he was the life force of the live shows ... Not that he was as great a drummer as Keith Moon, but his presence added a similar something to the band on stage. I totally agree with you on the magic of the earlier (pre-2011) shows — I think Sheff did too judging from lyrics in songs like "Unless It's Kicks" and interviews he's done over the years.
(What's the correct pronunciation?)
Ock-ervil. C'mon guys, it's in one of the songs! ;)
posted by pokermonk at 8:20 AM on August 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
Anyway, great band, but I saw them on their last tour, and it failed to live up to the magic that was the first show I saw them at (the second time I saw them was good as well.
A few members from the golden days of Okkervil River live shows have gone onto other things. Drummer Travis Nelsen is no longer with the band, and he was the life force of the live shows ... Not that he was as great a drummer as Keith Moon, but his presence added a similar something to the band on stage. I totally agree with you on the magic of the earlier (pre-2011) shows — I think Sheff did too judging from lyrics in songs like "Unless It's Kicks" and interviews he's done over the years.
(What's the correct pronunciation?)
Ock-ervil. C'mon guys, it's in one of the songs! ;)
posted by pokermonk at 8:20 AM on August 30, 2013 [2 favorites]
> I Am Very Far just didn't do a lot for me
Have you heard the b sides? posted by postcommunism at 8:33 AM on August 30, 2013
Have you heard the b sides? posted by postcommunism at 8:33 AM on August 30, 2013
This is one of those bands where they will periodically fall off my playlist, and then reappear when I'm in a shuffling mood, and I always think "Damn, what an incredible songwriter."
I Am Very Far seemed like it was pushing a bit too hard for anthem rock... I haven't heard the new one yet.
posted by selfnoise at 8:56 AM on August 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
I Am Very Far seemed like it was pushing a bit too hard for anthem rock... I haven't heard the new one yet.
posted by selfnoise at 8:56 AM on August 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
The last track on their first album has the correct pronunciation! "Okkervil River Song", one of their best songs. It's pronounced like "ockervul" there.
I am going back to bed and starting the day, no, the last couple of years over again.
posted by betweenthebars at 10:20 AM on August 30, 2013
I am going back to bed and starting the day, no, the last couple of years over again.
posted by betweenthebars at 10:20 AM on August 30, 2013
Have you heard the b sides?
I hadn't yet, thanks!
posted by jason_steakums at 10:34 AM on August 30, 2013
I hadn't yet, thanks!
posted by jason_steakums at 10:34 AM on August 30, 2013
Don't hit "save", it'll keep throwing up popups until you connect through Facebook.
posted by pinothefrog at 2:53 PM on August 30, 2013
posted by pinothefrog at 2:53 PM on August 30, 2013
OR is like Over the Rhine for me: clearly competent, but really nothing that actually appeals viscerally.
Also, they were hating all over Wes Anderson on Twitter today, so ...
posted by uberchet at 4:02 PM on August 30, 2013
Also, they were hating all over Wes Anderson on Twitter today, so ...
posted by uberchet at 4:02 PM on August 30, 2013
The last track on their first album has the correct pronunciation! "Okkervil River Song", one of their best songs. It's pronounced like "ockervul" there.
Like half the people here I have seen them live and have been mispronouncing the name for years. Oh well.
posted by entropyiswinning at 9:01 PM on August 30, 2013
Like half the people here I have seen them live and have been mispronouncing the name for years. Oh well.
posted by entropyiswinning at 9:01 PM on August 30, 2013
Geez, been thinking about Okkervil River all day because of this thread so I listened to them all night, and I forgot how much "Listening to Otis Redding at Home During Christmas" just straight breaks my heart in such a specific way. Christmas at home is a hell of a thing. "I've got dreams, dreams to remember..."
posted by jason_steakums at 11:45 PM on August 30, 2013
posted by jason_steakums at 11:45 PM on August 30, 2013
Really the whole last run on that first album, "Dead Dog Song"/"Listening to Otis Redding[...]"/"Okkervil River Song" is just such a gut punch.
posted by jason_steakums at 11:55 PM on August 30, 2013
posted by jason_steakums at 11:55 PM on August 30, 2013
Once, I got stuck for 15 minutes or so waiting for my barbecue at the salt lick in the Austin airport because there was a backup of orders in the kitchen, and I realized that Will Sheff was waiting too. He was very courteous--much more patient with my questions than he needed to be. I wasn't actually a fan at the time (which may have helped me not to try too hard), but after that, I gave them another chance and became one. Black Sheep Boy is a really terrific record.
posted by umbú at 9:05 PM on September 1, 2013
posted by umbú at 9:05 PM on September 1, 2013
Finally listened to this album. I really like it. It's definitely a shift from his previous stuff, both in terms of the writing but also the arrangements. Hard to really put a finger on why the arrangements are different, but the writing is a bit more elliptical now that he's talking about himself. It took a couple of plays to sink in, but It Was My Season and Lido Pier Suicide Car, in particular, have successfully earwormed me at this point.
posted by selfnoise at 7:07 AM on September 6, 2013
posted by selfnoise at 7:07 AM on September 6, 2013
I think the arrangements are a touch more radio rock-ish than usual - not in a bad way, but definitely more straightforward rock than they used to do. "On a Balcony" and "Down Down the Deep River" especially. Like they went to the Springsteen well a bit. I like it, though! A step up from I Am Very Far, imo, and it's growing on me more the more I listen.
posted by jason_steakums at 1:49 PM on September 6, 2013
posted by jason_steakums at 1:49 PM on September 6, 2013
Ahh ok, so I just found out John Agnello produced this and thaaat explains the more polished rock sound.
posted by jason_steakums at 1:58 PM on September 6, 2013
posted by jason_steakums at 1:58 PM on September 6, 2013
Just finished listening to the album. Not sure what I think yet. It's definitely different - softer? - than previous stuff. If I were flipping through the radio none of the songs would stick out in the way Blanket and Crib or Black or even John Allyn Smith Sails would. Shef's vocals are also less front and center.
For example, on the album version of Down the Deep River the line "Tell me about your uncle and his friend / because they seem like very bad men" doesn't have the sinister tilt it would on one of their earlier songs.
I think knowing it's autobiographical is also throwing me for a loop. It's like reading non-fiction from an author whom I love for their fiction, which is probably down entirely to my expectations. (Although I thought Your Past Life as a Blast was great, and that was apparently autobiographical.)
On the other hand, I thought It Was My Season was boring the first time I heard it, and a few listens later it bounced way up. The sound is more polished, smoothed down, calmer... but the song is about youthful intensity remembered at a distance. The lyrics go from "below the atari / I could feel your heart was just going" and "all that heart in my mouth / all that head filled with doubt" to "I hardly think about it now." It fits the sound.
So I'm optimistic about the other songs. Listening to it again now.
posted by postcommunism at 1:20 PM on September 7, 2013
For example, on the album version of Down the Deep River the line "Tell me about your uncle and his friend / because they seem like very bad men" doesn't have the sinister tilt it would on one of their earlier songs.
I think knowing it's autobiographical is also throwing me for a loop. It's like reading non-fiction from an author whom I love for their fiction, which is probably down entirely to my expectations. (Although I thought Your Past Life as a Blast was great, and that was apparently autobiographical.)
On the other hand, I thought It Was My Season was boring the first time I heard it, and a few listens later it bounced way up. The sound is more polished, smoothed down, calmer... but the song is about youthful intensity remembered at a distance. The lyrics go from "below the atari / I could feel your heart was just going" and "all that heart in my mouth / all that head filled with doubt" to "I hardly think about it now." It fits the sound.
So I'm optimistic about the other songs. Listening to it again now.
posted by postcommunism at 1:20 PM on September 7, 2013
Yep, it's growing on me. Pink Slips especially right now.
posted by postcommunism at 3:09 PM on September 19, 2013
posted by postcommunism at 3:09 PM on September 19, 2013
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