Okkervil River: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

At first blush, Okkervil River is obviously a good rock n roll band, but listen closely especially to its lyrics and you ll hear a great rock n roll band. The group has been making sharp, thoughtful music since the late 90s, with the first of its seven albums coming out a dozen years ago. The songs in this Tiny Desk Concert are from The Silver Gymnasium, a record inspired by the childhood of 37yearold singersongwriter Will Sheff; he grew up a bespectacled, crookedtoothed redhead in the small New Hampshire town of Meriden. His lyrics are drenched in specific memories, popculture references and youthful insecurity. Look at these lines from Down Down the Deep River : Tell me bout the greatest show or the greatest movie you know Or the greatest song that you taped from off the radio Play it again and again it cuts off at the ending, though Tell me I m always gonna be your best friend Now you said it one time why don t you say it again The stories pop a bit more in this acoustic setup