Okkervil River - Friday October 14, The Forum Theatre

As the band joked around, poking each other in the ribs and giggling over a magazine, Will sat alone, morose, and in the corner, huddled over a laptop with giant headphones on. Perhaps he was preoccupied with composing poetry, or simply hungover. When all members had assembled their various cases around the baggage terminal in LAX, they stood around in a circle, looking at each other. There was an awkward silence until Will sighed and mumbled, "Well... see you round." Gone was the congenial nature of their on-stage personas, no doubt hammered into the ground by a rigorous tour and several hours on a flight. But this was Will's band, and you still had to wait to be dismissed. It's interesting to note that several of these members did not make it back for this tour.

Tonight he was full of beans (or bourbon), strutting about the stage and attempting to put on 'a big rock show' with grand gestures to the cheap seats. My guess is the band have become more popular in recent years due to the songs themselves, full of inventive arrangements and rich imagery, and not their live show. Which is not to say that the songs aren't strong; in fact some border on brilliant, particularly those from breakthrough Black Sheep Boy and latest release I Am Very Far, which is the primary focus tonight. The musicianship is also top notch (beside a flubbed solo in For Real), and there's enough lights, bells and whistles to enthrall, but the biggest sticking point is that Will just seems, well, kind of a douche. It's the material and lyrics that engage- the band sure don't, at least not on an emotional level. Then again, it is Friday Night and the Forum is full of Corporate Arseholes who want to chatter through the delicate acoustic numbers about their stock and UFC tips. To his credit, Will has said that he feels most at home composing, not touring and performing, and perhaps we should be grateful for the great songs. But for a band known for a talented and poetic lyricist and on the cusp of supporting U2, I just missed the opportunity to feel something.

BY NICK HILTON

LOVED: Anything off Black Sheep Boy

HATED: Not hearing what was sung or said between songs.

DRANK: Boags, but as they were a sponsor, we really had no choice.