The war criminal rises and speaks
August 2, 2013 8:51 AM Subscribe
Does the Okkervil River song 'The War Criminal Rises and Speaks' have references to my local ice cream shop, or am I imagining this?
So, I'm not sure if there's a way of answering this definitively but it's been bothering me. The song is off "Down the River of Golden Dreams". Here's what struck me.
1. There's a reference to "Beal's" which is the name of a local ice cream microchain as well as stop and shop which is obviously a wider net but still common in New England (or it's Hannaford now I guess). I can't figure out what other Beals they could be referring to.
2. There's another song on the album with "Maine Islands" in the title.
Thoughts?
So, I'm not sure if there's a way of answering this definitively but it's been bothering me. The song is off "Down the River of Golden Dreams". Here's what struck me.
1. There's a reference to "Beal's" which is the name of a local ice cream microchain as well as stop and shop which is obviously a wider net but still common in New England (or it's Hannaford now I guess). I can't figure out what other Beals they could be referring to.
2. There's another song on the album with "Maine Islands" in the title.
Thoughts?
According to wikipedia, he's from New Hampshire. I think they're pretty active on twitter... tweet at them with this question?
posted by marshmallow peep at 9:06 AM on August 2, 2013
posted by marshmallow peep at 9:06 AM on August 2, 2013
Wikipedia says they met in New Hampshire, so yeah, probably. You could probably do an overlay map of where a Subway, Beal's and Stop and Shop are close together to narrow it down even more, but that's where I'd figure they got it.
posted by tchemgrrl at 9:07 AM on August 2, 2013
posted by tchemgrrl at 9:07 AM on August 2, 2013
It appears that the whole album is inspired by Sheff's hometown. Via NPR's All Songs Considered:
'"Down Down The Deep River," from Okkervil River's forthcoming album The Silver Gymnasium, is a beautiful, rocking song inspired by Meriden, N.H., where songwriter Will Sheff grew up.'
NPR also has this app (narrated by Will) that includes detailed information on Meriden and his experiences there.
posted by puellaeterna at 3:17 PM on August 2, 2013
'"Down Down The Deep River," from Okkervil River's forthcoming album The Silver Gymnasium, is a beautiful, rocking song inspired by Meriden, N.H., where songwriter Will Sheff grew up.'
NPR also has this app (narrated by Will) that includes detailed information on Meriden and his experiences there.
posted by puellaeterna at 3:17 PM on August 2, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
And Okkervil River isn't that big a band, I imagine you could email them or post on their facebook page, and you would likely get a response.
posted by MisantropicPainforest at 9:04 AM on August 2, 2013