MERELY PLAYAS

I think I might be starting to like The Stage Names.

I didn’t give it much of a chance when it first came out. Liked the first track, then everything went meh. “Okkervil River,” said I, “Take yer emotistical song titles and overwrought vocals and stow ‘em in the overhead.”

But last night I was listening to Plus Ones, and damned if it isn’t cool, clever, and catchy. It’s all about the 97th tear, the 100th luftballoon, the 8 Chinese brothers, the 9 miles high, the TVC16, the cell 45, the 51st way to leave your lover, the 4 times a lady, and the 17 candles.

And I’m all about the 2nd chance…