Album #5

Okkervil River's "The Stand Ins"

Says Pitchfork (I know): "In short, the band complements and counterbalances Sheff's cerebral songwriting simply by rocking out. His braininess is perhaps his greatest asset, and he's become one of the best lyric-writers going in indie rock, with a dense and distinctive style that trades on wordplay and internal rhymes."

Says Paste Magazine: "And Okkervil River itself performs here with an organic ease that’s dramatic without reaching for histrionics, continuing to tattoo its rough folkish flesh with Motown horns (“Starry Stairs”), power-pop overdrive (“Pop Lie”) and chugging New Wave bass (“Lost Coastlines”)."

Says Harp: "Will Sheff sings like he's on fire but writes like a novelist, reeling off memorable images with an ease that belies his craftsmanship."

Says I: "Top Ten Album of the Year!"