Post Show Review: Okkervil River Neptune Theater, Seattle [6.18.2011]

Headed to the show SOLO on Saturday night. It was hard to believe I couldn't muster up one live-music fiend to join me! But granted, it was the Summer Solstice Festival in Seattle (where we make rain like Texas makes BBQ sauce) and it was really short notice. Regardless, glad I made the jaunt over to the U District and since I've never had the opportunity to check out the Neptune, it was a "Two birds. One stone" kinda night. GREAT venue by the way...

But back to the band: Still on the fence. The stuff I really gravitated towards was the acoustic folk solos by Will Sheff. He's definitely a dramatic, emotionally enthused vocalist but it all aids in captivating your attention to each and every poignant lyric. Although, I should note that at one point, mid-chorus, he had to croon melodically to the obnoxious drunks in the back of the bar talking during his first solo performance to please shut up. Okkervile River does a profound job of incorporating LOTS of instrumentals and I noticed this most with the horns inserted at just the right moments in each song. Clearly a talented group with some hefty musical achievements under their belt. While not a favorite of mine, I'd still have to rate them an 8 out of 10 on the sheer merit of their work.

My favorite songs at the live show were "A Stone", "Girl In Port", "So Come Back I'm Waiting" and "Your Past Life As a Blast". Will Sheff is the center of the performance and exudes an air of artistic depth (in that dark and heavy sort of way) which makes one want to continue the conversation he's having with you through his songs on stage. He was a little under spoken for a listener that loves hearing an artist's witty banter throughout a set. However, I did enjoy his intro "My resolution is to remember to just stop and have fun". Words we should all remember to remember.

Much of what I've read about the band has eventually pointed back to the writing and creative skills of Will Sheff. I'm a believer. Here's an example from one of my favorite Okkervil songs "Girl In Port"-

Let fall your soft and swaying skirt

Let fall your shoes

Let fall your shirt

I'm not the lady killing sort

Enough to hurt the girl in port


Well I'm a weak and lonely sort

But I'm not sailing just for sport

I've come to feel out on the sea

These urgent lies pressed against me

I'm just against, I'm not apart

With my tender head

With my easy heart

These several years out on the sea

Have made me empty cold and clear

Pour yourself into me


Here's a live clip from the show I was at. Okkervil River performing "A Stone". Thanks to whatever fan arrived early, stood on their feet for 3 hours in what was in my opinion a really hot room, AND stayed in that "crick-in-your-neck" position while shooting this song. And a SPECIAL thanks to Shasta for hooking up the tickets.