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Springsteenesque cacophonies and arresting musical vision
This week IAN SINCLAIR reviews albums by Okkervil River, The Flaming Lips, and Aisha Burns

Okkervil River
In the Rainbow Rain
(ATO Records)
★★★★

WHILE their last record was a largely subdued, introspective affair, US indie-rock band Okkervil River’s ninth album is a poppy and relatively bright set. “I hope it’s something fun that makes people feel happier,” says songwriter and lead singer Will Sheff.

As with their mid-2000s career high point, In the Rainbow Rain is full of Sheff’s dense lyrics, many verging on short stories.


The Flaming Lips
Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 (Deluxe Edition)
(Warner Bros)
★★★★★


Aisha Burns
Argonauta
(Western Vinyl)
★★★

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
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