Okkervil River The Stage Names (Jagjaguwar) Like a knight clad in frail, antiquated armor but with precise and impeccable form, Okkervil River have proven on their latest release they have what it takes to awe a crowd that has come to expect so much from them. The Stage Names makes good on all forecasts calling for Will Sheff’s shaky, vulnerable vocals and sturdy indie folk songs with a eye for infection. They deliver a little......

We've been looking forward to it, were saddened at its postponement, are now cracking our knuckles until it begins -- tomorrow night's Okkervil River extravaganza at Hogg Auditorium. The evening will showcase the local boys in a glory never before seen. The glory = a full string section, horn section, and backup singers from Brothers and Sisters. "Performing brand-new songs, old favorites, very rare tracks, and probably some stuff we've never done before that......

Tacks, the Boy Disaster's Daytrotter Session features four free songs, one of which is slated to appear on their forthcoming album. "Dying to Know" is one of the band's oldest songs, but one that needed some help before it became clear how to deal with that pesky bridge. Although the charm of the Daytrotter Session songs is their live and impromptu nature (complete with borrowed instruments and auxiliary musicians), we're anxious to hear this......

Arcade Fire Neon Bible (Merge) Unless you live under a rock, you're well aware that Neon Bible's official release date is today. As expected, the web is ablaze with commentary and reflection on the band's sophomore effort, and for the most part, it's been a lot of good news. A relief, considering the album's reference to the John Kennedy Toole novel of the same name. The book is a sort of exercise in temporal......

Below is a list of the new albums released this week. You can get most at Waterloo Records or End of an Ear. Artist Spotlight Mendoza Line - Full of Light and Full of Fire (Misra) New York City's Mendoza Line are an awfully bitter bunch. Then again, these days, we can't rightfully blame them for feeling that way. Their latest release on Austin's Misra Records, Full of Light and Full of Fire, finds......

We know its hard to get through the work week grind sometimes. Hopefully these new jams will make it more enjoyable. Here are our picks for the week... The Books – Lost and Safe British Sea Power - Open Season Fantomas - Suspended Animation Fischerspooner – Odyssey Great Lake Swimmers – Great Lake Swimmers Hot Hot Heat – Elevator Magnolia Electric Co. – What Comes After the Blues Okkervil River – Black Sheep Boy......