Okkervil River -- The Stand Ins
Okkervil River's last record, The Stage Names was their best. Now, it seems, their newest effort The Stand Ins is in fact their best. At this rate, the album they release next year will be their best. And I'm fine with that. With each album, Will Sheff seemingly grows as a songwriter -- although I use the term "grows" sparingly. He and Okkervil River are already matured musicians, and well beyond their years. "Blue Tulip" is one of my favorite songs of the year.
Honorable Mentions:
Times New Viking -- Rip It Off
These guys are straight out of 1993. Snotty vocals, fuzz-box guitars, amplifiers on the verge of combustion, virtually nonexistent drums -- it's altogether unpretentiously perfect. 16 songs in a half hour. Awesome.
Abe Vigoda -- Skeleton
Abe Vigoda have been called punk rock's Best Kept Secret by virtually every blog in existence, but apparently not secret enough for Dean Spunt of No Age not to find them. They released their debut on his label, and have since drawn comparisons to other LA neanderthals X and the Minutemen.
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