2007's breakthrough album 'The Stage Names' may have earned Texan rockers Okkervil River a reputation as Pitchfork darlings, but praise for the album was not only justified but wholly warranted for an album that beautifully married contagious sing-along rock tunes with poetic and insightful lyricism. Yet when sister album 'The Stand Ins' appeared in 2008, while in keeping with the themes of its predecessor, it failed to bring anything new to the table. So it is with great satisfaction that Okkervil River move into a new phase of their development with a record that in places harks back to the spacious drum heavy rock of 'Black Sheep Boy' while elsewhere employing contemporary hints of soul and some of their most beautiful orchestration yet.
Opener 'The Valley' instantly grabs you with a fantastic hook and thumping, rotund beat before accentuating its already rampageous attitude with nervous strings and uneasy piano. Yet, with the exception of this, and the syncopated, aggravated waltz of lead single 'Wake and Be Fine', 'I Am Very Far' takes its time endearing itself to the listener, dominated as it is by the easy-going, smooth nature of the majority of its tracks. 'Hanging From A Hit' delivers some gorgeously ambling soul, completely with brass backing and softly tipped cymbals, while 'The Rise' slowly seeps under the skin with its pulsating piano chords, swaying strings and mirrored vocals. With the reverb-heavy rock and roll that makes up the rest of these ten tracks becoming catchier and catchier with each listen, 'I Am Far' is without doubt Okkervil River back on top form.
