The Silver Gymnasium

I am puzzled by the variation in opinion in these reviews. For me, this is absolutely first-rate, a return to form after the very disappointing I Am Very Far, and a serious candidate for my favorite album of the year. Okkervil River is a consistently interesting band which, to my taste, had been getting better and better, culminating in the sensational The Stage Names (and its follow-on companion piece The Stand-Ins). The Silver Gymnasium links the cleverness and high production values of those records with the folkier, more contemplative vibe of Okkervil River's earlier work. I would not have understood this was more of a theme album than the band's other work -- Will Sheff writes a lot about his life -- without the publicity. In any event, it is fully stocked with tuneful songs that both engage the listener immediately and grow on you with repeated listens. I can tell it's a great album because my favorite track changes every time I listen to it.If you already like the band, you ought to love this record. If you are curious and want to check them out, this is a great place to start. Arcade Fire's The Suburbs is a pretty good comparison.

Okkervil River is basically my favorite band or at least is up at the very top, I have listened to their first five albums and two EPs constantly and they are just perfect: raw, amazing lyrics and catchy tunes without being sappy at all. I also bought both their live CDs of their performances at Schuba's and MAN are they unbelievably good and powerful.But upon listening to the SILVER GYMNASIUM for the fourth time I can now safely say this album is just OK and forgettable. There are even plenty of poorly written lyrics ridden with clichés such as Stay Young. OH MY GOD, I though Will Sheff was incapable of writing a single cliché line. So this is pretty much the let down of the year, just because of how incredible Okkervil River have been on their albums, and hopefully will be back on top with their next effort!This is very good music in GENERAL by the way. Just not very good Okkervil River. I am anxiously waiting to hear the new Shearwater album (end of the year) and see if it's the 5th masterpiece in a row from them! will definitely make up for this lackluster effort.

I'm a recent convert to the church of Okkervil River. This latest album is fantastic. There is of course some progression from earlier albums (less angst?), which may disappoint long-time fans. However, cuts such as "Down Down the Deep River", "Stay Young", "Lido Pier Suicide Car", "Pink Slips", "On a Balcony", and "Where the Spirit Left Us" are as amazing as anything Will Sheff has done in the past. I caught Okkervil River's live show at the 9:30 Club in DC last night and they were fabulous. NPR has a great feature online about this new album. Check it out.

I heard "Down Down the Deep River" on the radio and had to buy this CD. This is my first exposure to Okkervil River and I have say I'm impressed. I play the whole disc through and then want to hear it again...so I do. Can't believe I've never heard of them before. Great stuff here. Some reviewers (more familiar with the band than I am) feel this is not their best. If that's so, then I have some pleasure in store for me as I explore their past catalog.

Okkervil River never stops amazing me. They manage to change a little with every album yet keep me sucked in. This one has a more sad, depressing feel but still has some of the best lyrics and sound i've heard. If you are a first time Okkervil listener i would not recommend this album though. It would be much better if you got "The Stage Names" or "Black Sheep Boy" first, then buy this album. I hope this helps!

I have been loving the marketing campaign going on with the release of this album. I played the video game, watched the trailers, listened on NPR, toured the map - I love it all. I've seen this band live more than any other. The packaging design is SOOO great, so many clever little details. I can tell this CD will grow on me, it's familiar, nostalgic, jangly, haunting. So poetic and unique.

The Stage Names and The Stand Ins are two of my favorite albums by any artist at any time. This effort and I am Very Far have failed to live up to those expectations. The hooks are lacking and there's a certain "sameness" from start to finish that weighs down the album experience. I am going to continue to give this album a chance given the pedigree, but I'm not hopeful that it will rise to Okkervil River's previous standards.

As a big Okkervil River fan, I was very excited about this album. While the album was good, it wasn't up to par with my expectations. I felt the same way about their previous album as well. I was hoping for a return to the Stand In's days.

I got this the day it came out but have waited til now to write a review as I wasn't sure about it at first and that is often a very good thing. As this is one of those albums that is a real grower, until one day all the pieces fall into place and you spend the next fortnight finding as much time as possible to listen to it.This is Will Sheff making a return to his youth back in the 1980's in hometown Meriden, NH. These are songs about growing up and a small world with the promise of so much more, best friends forever and summers remembered with rose tinted glasses. Jonathan Meiburg (Sheerwater) makes a much welcomed contribution with banjo, harmony and vocals and we have a harpsichord played by the uber talented Justin Sherburn. But the real talent is as always Will Sheff and his soaring vocals and imagery of lyrics that are closer to poetry than a `pop tune'.There are so many stand out tracks here `Lido Pier Suicide Car' is excellent and check out the versions on YouTube. `Stay Young' is an homage to the music of the eighties complete with fuzzy synth and if you try dancing to it, it only works if you do it eighties stylie, so large shoulder pads and rubbish bouffant may actually help. `Down the deep river' is almost anthemic, especially in length but it could go on all day as far as I am concerned, mind you then it would probably be `prog rock'.The opening number `It was my season' is one of those that yearns for the golden days and all that was promised and is just brilliant. There are so many instruments on this album and it all works including trumpet, lap steel and harmonica. The only track that seems out of place is `Walking without Frankie' which is a bit slow and brooding and brings the pace down a tad. The two final tracks are a joy especially album closer `Black Nemo' which is up there with any of Okkervil's best work. I am a bit biased as I have loved this band for four years but I still think this is a simply excellent life affirming good piece of music - even the cover art is great,; ok gush over I am off for another listen.

While this is still basically a "concept" album, in it's loosest form, it also works very well as a non-concept...if that doesn't sound ridiculous.There are some really great songs on this album - favs: Down Down The Deep River and Stay Young.As others have said, it does sound quite 80s...but it is the good 80s!

Love it.

good as usual

Great album, brought second hand in perfect condition can't moan at all was over the moon when I opened it