Part two is never as good

Rather than make a double album, the band decided to release each album separately. However, they may as well have been released together. The themes complement one another, as The Stand Ins finishes what was left undone on The Stage Names. Even the album covers form one picture when put together.  

The sound of The Stand Ins is distinctively Okkervil River, but the individual songs don’t quite compare to those on The Stage Names. This album is missing a song of the stature like The Stage Names’ epic ballad “Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe” that catches listeners’ attention instantaneously.  

However, The Stand Ins does contain the unforgettable track “Lost Coastlines,” which opens the album after its 49-second orchestral interlude. Vocalist Will Sheff sings “La, la, la” and the scintillating horns in the background make for a straightforward and likeable listen.   

The subsequent track “Singer, Songwriter” further strengthens the beginning of the album. The sound is full and the lyrics are moving (“it’s all in your hand / Like a gun/ Like a globe/ Like a grand”).

But although the album starts off strong with these two tracks, songs like “On Tour With Zykos” disappoint. It’s a slower song that adds variety to the album, but after listening to electrifying songs like “Pop Lie,” it comes off as ordinary.

Although The Stand Ins doesn’t quite compare to its predecessor, it’s still an undeniably strong album. Given a few extra listens, it may even reach that which it was originally aiming for: to amply continue one of the finest albums to rock the indie music world.