I’m cheating a little bit in my choice of the #3 album from an independent or unsigned artist. Actually, it’s my list so I can do whatever I want. But I’m including the latest album from Austin’s Okkervil River largely as a recognition of their whole body of work, rather than the album itself. Don’t get me wrong, “The Stand Ins” (Jagjaguwar) is an excellent album, but on its own it is probably not worthy of a spot this high in the top 10. However, this sextet of Texans has been churning out great records since 2002 and I can’t get enough of them.

One of the wonderful things about Okkervil River is that music lovers of any age seem to really get these guys. I’ve passed their music on to Arizaphale’s 13 year old daughter and Dr. O’C’s fifty-something uncle and they both love it. How many bands out there are accessible to teenage girls, baby boomers and everyone in between? To me, this indicates that you’ve got something musically that transcends generations.  That’s something special. And so is “The Stand Ins”. It’s a bit too short with a bit too much ’space’ – in reality it’s just a long EP. It’s not as strong an album as last year’s “The Stage Names” or 2003’s “Down the River of Golden Dreams” – but if you like good music, I can pretty much guarantee that you’ll like Okkervil River. Have a listen to “Singer Songwriter” and if you like what you hear, buy “The Stand-Ins” and other Okkervil River albums from Okkervil River - The Stand Ins.

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Tomorrow is Xmas in Oz. You’re not likely to see a warm and gushy festive post here, but you never know. If you’re like me – in other words, dreading most of the day (I know there are some of you out there) – then remember it’s just another day, remarkably similar to December 24 and December 26. Get through 24 hours and it’s done for another year. Boxing Day is the big day for me as that is when we start our vacation at the beach. Posting will probably be sparse until after the New Year, so I’d like to wish my gentle readers a tolerable Christmas and the best of luck in the New Year. Appropriately enough, I’ve also posted a ‘Christmas’ song from Okkervil River.

And I hear that song sometimes and imagine us much more than friends – like if
we stayed in this town, bought the first house that
went up on sale, and how each
Christmastime would bring
in-laws and snowdays and
holiday mail.

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Just a reminder on the final contest of the year. Win electronic copies of each of my top 10 albums of the year. All you’ve got to do is leave a comment on this post. Easy peasy. Good luck.

 
icon for podpress  Okkervil River - "Singer Songwriter" [3:50m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 
icon for podpress  Okkervil River - "Listening to Otis Redding During Christmas" [7:11m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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