Album Review: The Stand Ins

Okkervil River is the type of band that you can just kind of have on in the background, and end up missing out on. So, the first thing I'd ask of you is to try not to let that happen.

The Stand Ins is supposed to be a sequel to last year's excellent The Stage Names. Indeed, they are thematically similar, but I wonder if these are actually b-sides, rather than a sequel.

This album seems much more content to stay in the background than The Stage Names, and doesn't make the effort to rescue you from whatever else it is you're doing.

It does have a lot to offer, if you're willing to meet it half-way. "Lost Coastlines" is amazing, with frontman Will Sheff being joined by crooning from Jonathan Meiberg, who recently left Okkervill River to focus on his other band, Shearwater. As always, Sheff is melodramatic without being obnoxious.

So, it's very good, just not as good last year's offering. If you're a fan, you're already on board, if you're not, check out The Stage Names and Black Sheep Boy, then give this one a try.