Okkervil River – Black Sheep Boy

Stylus Magazine released their Top 50 Albums of 2005 today, and Black Sheep Boy landed at number 46. The album fared much better on PopMatters Year End list, weighing it at a respectable number 9.

I saw Okkervil River open for the Decemberists at the beginning of this year. It was an amazing performace to a crowd so in love with the Decemberists, yet they managed to win them over with the beginning strum of the first song. I picked up this album at the show, and have listened to it constantly since.

That show marked the beginning of a band I hope to see a lot more of their live performances in the years to come (Okkervil River) and the last show I will ever spend money on to see the Decemberists.

What the critics say:

Coke Machine Glow – 82%
Tiny Mix Tapes – 4/5
Stylus Magazine – A
Metacritic.com – 85/100
Pitchfork – [8.5]

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You can see the rest of my 2005 favorites (so far) by clicking here.