Okkervil River - The Stage Names: C

Music: 3/10 Vocals: 4/5 Lyrics: 3/5 Production: 4/5
Total: 14/25: C

Okkervil River made many top 20 lists in 2007. I had to check them out to see what the hype was. What I can say is that singer Will Sheff has a very unique voice and has a very good command of it. Half Morrissey, half Strokes may be a bit of a stretch but it gives you the right framework. I respect his vocal talents although I'm not all that drawn in by them.

The band is rather pedestrian. They are compitent enough but not good enough to write particularly good songs. A few mildly stand out but overall I easily keep this in the background without humming or tapping my foot. I would never want to actively listen to them. They range from light pop to folk. So, folk/pop/rock genre. At least they are unique.

So, perhaps the professional reviewers love this band because they really don't sound like anyone else and execute decently. But while I may agree with that, none of their songs engage me in any way so I really can't recommend it.

White Stripes: Icky Thump: B

Music: 7/10 Vocals: 4/5 Lyrics: 4/5 Production: 3/5
Total: 18 of 25: B

I have to admit that I really disliked their last album, Get Behind Me Satan. I found it to be very derivative and not very entertaining. Then one morning I happen to flip channels and stop on some much channel on cable. The song, "You Don't Know What Love Is (You Just Do As You're Told)" was on and it was awesome. I couldn't believe what a great song it was. Then serendipitously I heard the title track "Icky Thump" on the radio and it was equally good. I took a chance and picked up the album.

First, I swear Jack is channeling Jimmy Page and Robert Plant. Many of these songs could easily appear on Zeppelin 2 or Houses of the Holy. Heck, let John Paul Jones play bass and you could probably leave them as is. But this isn't some tribute band. These songs rock on their own. Derivative but original. It's quite good.

Next, Meg at times channels John Bonham with her thundering bass drum and toms and her extremely heavy hand on the cymbals. She's not nearly as good, but good enough to keep the beat for Jack.

Another highlight is the excellent "Rag and Bone" where Meg and Jack would happily take all your unused stuff you've got. And "Little Cream Soda" delves into such heavy metal that you want to time warp back to the 70s (that kind of metal).

Ultimately, there is some unevenness in the songs and few clunk by. But there's enough here to keep rocking. And honestly, I know this is a two piece but the music would be much better with a good bass player to hold the bottom. This may be sacrilege to long time fans, but it's the truth.