September 10, 2006

New Okkervil River - "The President's Dead"

If you have less than three minutes to explain why Lou Reed identified Okkervil River as a standout indie band while doing post-VMA press, save your breath and let Will Sheff make his case with this new track, culled from the band's Australia-only tour EP Overboard & Down. (Thanks, Kathryn!)

Okkervil River - "The President's Dead" (MP3)

Will introduced the song to us at Castle Clinton a few months ago as a "bit of hypothetical fiction" (in other words, it ain't wishful thinking). With movement from the sadness of tragedy (and the pedestal given its victims) to the vivid recall of the tiny, life-defining details such a moment enables, we get three shots, three snare pops, and a rollicking, Okkervil group groove.

But you're wasting your breath, Lou. Lyrics that stand alone as poems have no place between The Hills and Pimp My Ride -- even if they're set to a four-chord strum.

Posted at 12:30 PM
Tags: Okkervil River

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15 Comments

link isn't working :(

Posted by: corey at 09/10/06 12:42 PM | Reply
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this song is great, I can't wait for their new album now

Posted by: she wants you at 09/10/06 12:51 PM | Reply
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Thanks Amrit!!

Posted by: Linus at 09/10/06 1:42 PM | Reply
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The link is actually.

http://stereogum.com/Okkervil%20River%20-%20The%20President's%20Dead.mp3

Posted by: dan at 09/10/06 2:12 PM | Reply
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anyone know where i can acquire Okkervil river's australian ep?

Posted by: Saul at 09/10/06 3:13 PM | Reply
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But of course! We're working out the server issue, but if you just right-click and save the link provided you'll be in good shape. It's worth it!

Posted by: amrit at 09/10/06 7:09 PM | Reply
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problem was an em dash in the URL...all fixed!

Posted by: jim at 09/10/06 7:26 PM | Reply
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These guys are on my list to see @ Austin City Limits this week. Can't wait!

Posted by: Julio at 09/10/06 7:34 PM | Reply
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Love Will Sheff. Can't say the same about the President. Let's live blog "The Path To 9/11."

Posted by: scott at 09/10/06 8:01 PM | Reply
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Vote and check out the results for this:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3080261/

fuckin cool.

Posted by: Porkins at 09/11/06 12:34 AM | Reply
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I have the EP, I am in Australia...

Posted by: imasalad at 09/11/06 7:48 AM | Reply
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thanks so much for this. will sheff is perhaps the best american lyricist on the indie scene imo.

Posted by: s at 09/11/06 9:32 AM | Reply
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Great song. Love pretty much everything Will has done. Wish he was playing with Shearwater this weekend.

Posted by: Steve at 09/11/06 1:06 PM | Reply
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Theme song of "Death Of A President?"

Posted by: Haley at 09/11/06 4:14 PM | Reply
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i've got this ep, living in australia and all. its great, it also has this great song called 'westfall' as-well, which has great lyrics. okkervil is up there with the decemberists for best lyricists, to me anyway.

Posted by: hendo at 03/07/07 3:35 AM | Reply
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