Okkervil River @ Bell House

Not a bad choice for the 1st show of the year and at the new Bell House. For the past couple years I’ve been enjoying their unique thematic folk albums including their new one “The Stand Ins.” They had a new member onstage and took me awhile to figure out that it was Lauren Gurgiolo of the DialTones. She provided some serious eye candy to the very crowded male stage. Although a solo heckler provided a needed distraction in the quiet and slow start of their set, I still found the bands’s sound… boring. I guess it took me a few songs to enter the musical wavelength of the band as the 2nd half proved much better and and energetic. The crowd got more into the music including this crazed fan that never stopped dancing and pumping his fists into the air. Awesomeness. Despite the decent set, that was the highlight of the show.
http://www.okkervilriver.com/