Pitchfork

Despite a few snags, the mighty Okkervil River just keeps on rushing. The emotive Austin folk-pop troupe has announced plans to release a new album-- the follow-up to 2005's quite well-received Black Sheep Boy-- later this year. Indeed, the boys were in the studio just a moment ago, laying new jams to tape with producer Brian Beattie (BSB, Don't Fall in Love With Everyone You See).

They've had to abandon recording for the moment, however: Okkervil frontman Will Sheff regretfully revealed to Jound.com message board hounds recently (special thanks to reader Kevin Lok for the tip) that he has been forced to cancel his previously announced tour with Josh Ritter. All those emotional outbursts strained Sheff's voice considerably; he's following his doctor's advice and resting up while keeping his trap shut. "My voice is damaged and the only thing that will really make it get better is not using it for a little while," wrote Sheff. We wish him a speedy recovery.

On a brighter note, Okkervil River will play an Austin show at the University of Texas' Hogg Auditorium on April 21. They're also onboard for SXSW, playing Quack!Media and Found magazine's day party (at Bourbon Rocks) and Jagjaguwar's night showcase (at the Mohawk) on March 15.

Additionally, the Okkervils serve up a deluxe reissue of Black Sheep Boy, bundled with companion EP Black Sheep Boy Appendix and bonus goodies, on March 6 via Jagjaguwar. Titled Black Sheep Boy (Definitive Edition), the two-CD set boasts both releases plus B-side "The Next Four Months", the fine animated video for "For Real", and a new video for an alternate version of Appendix's "No Key, No Plan".

The Definite Edition further bolsters its claim of definitiveness by including "a big fat booklet and a gold-embossed sleeve," according to a press release. We're told it "combin[es] style and substance like never before," which, while hyperbolic, still sounds pretty damn sweet.

Cancelled dates ahoy.

No Will Sheff, Yes Josh Ritter:

02-24 Portland, OR - The Aladdin Theater
02-25 Seattle, WA - The Showbox
02-26 Eugene, OR - WOW Hall
02-28 San Francisco, CA - Swedish American Hall (Noise Pop Festival)
03-01 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre

Yes Okkervil River:

03-15 Austin, TX - Bourbon Rocks (SXSW day party)
03-15 Austin, TX - The Mohawk (SXSW showcase)
04-21 Austin, TX - Hogg Auditorium at University of Texas