Show Review:
Okkervil River with Charles Bissell and Audible
Sunday, November 13
The Khyber, Philadelphia, PA
Looking Back:
Philly based Audible kicked things off with decent set, mainly focusing on their 2005 release Sky Signals (Polyvinyl Records). What I heard was solid. They certainly came across better live. The definite highlight was the title track off of the album. These guys (and girls) have potential. If you like the slower Matt Pond PA songs, you'll enjoy Audible.
Next up was Mr. Charles Bissell of The Wrens. I wasn't sure what to expect. Was he going to play originals? or Wrens material? First off let me say It was him, a guitar and the 2005 accessory of choice, A Loop Pedal. The set consisted mainly of a couple originals (one being a song he said he wrote a couple days ago.) an old Wrens song that is completely slipping my mind at the moment. (damn this memory). Throughout the set Charles showed off some impressive guitar skills and some damn good breakdowns. However, Mr. Bissell saved the best for last. A cover of one of my favorite Sinead O'Connor songs "Black Boys On Mopeds" off of her album I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got
side note: (I remember listen to this album when it came out because One: her Prince cover "Nothing Compares 2 U" and Two: I was in My dad's music collection... of which i would rummage and search for new things to listen)
This was the fix that I needed while I sit and wait for a follow up to the great Meadowlands.
THE MAIN EVENT!
Setlist
The Velocity of Saul at the Time Of His Conversion
A King and A Queen
Lady Liberty
The Latest Toughs
A Stone
Song Of Our So-Called Friends
Seas To Far To Reach
Blankets and Crib
Black
Ex-Girl Collection (Wrens Cover)
For Real
So Come Back, I'm Waiting
Westfall
Encore:
A Leaf (Will Solo)
Kansas City
Another Radio Song (for the captain)
Okkervil River Song
First off let me say that I have been excited about this show since August when i found out about it.
The last two Okkervil shows I saw were extremely impressive, but nothing prepared me for this. 17 songs covering all but two of their releases (sleep and wake up songs & sham wedding/ hoax funeral) Each song was played with the passion and urgency of an encore. One observation was that the packed, sold out crowd of the Khyber was moving, singing and bobbing just as much and if not more than the Wolf Parade crowd I witnessed a few weeks earlier. Even though Will clearly stated they were worn out from the previous nights NY show, it didn't seem to show. Okkervil's energy was amazing, building stronger and stronger with each song.
(pause)
I feel like I am being a slight bit redundant... The show was one of the best shows I have ever seen. PERIOD. (and that is a bold statement). If you can catch these guys on this last leg of the tour.... do it, you will not regret it.
(un? pause)
MP3s of the Day!
so before i mentioned Sinead O'Connor's Black Boys on Mopeds. Here it is along with a cover by Brandtson (a damn good cover--- more rocking and faster than the original but lacks the passion of Sinead's delivery)
Sinead O'Connor - Black Boys On Mopeds
Brandtson - Black Boys On Mopeds (Sinead O'Connor Cover)
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