Owls
Two
Polyvinyl Records [2014]
Fire Note Says: Owls craft something compelling and infinitely re-listenable, out of its unorthodox and complex style!
Album Review: Odds are pretty good that you have never heard of Owls, or understand why you should be excited that they are releasing their second album after a 13 year absence. I would also think it’s fair to say you might not have heard of Cap’n Jazz or any of the other bands that members of Owls have been associated with through the years, Joan of Arc, Owen, Ghosts and Vodka, but you have probably heard of The Promise Ring, right? I know what you’re thinking, “brainy emo music, I’ll pass”, but you’re wrong. While containing some emo elements, Owls strike me as more math rock oriented, with some shades of Fugazi and Slint thrown in. Do I have your attention now?
Jagged guitars, quiet/loud vocals, and pulsing rhythms are heard throughout the album. This is the record I really expected The Dismemberment Plan to make when they reunited. Nearly every song is a highlight on the album, so it seems silly to list them all, but several are head and shoulders above the rest. “Ancient Stars Seed” is my personal favorite on the album, it starts out fairly low key, but the tension rapidly builds before it is finally released, and flows directly into “It Collects Itself” providing a powerful one two punch. “The Lion” features some powerful drumming and guitar playing, interlocking the song together perfectly through its strange yet thrilling rhythms. The whole album is full of stuff like this, snaky guitar lines and weird time signatures and passionate vocals. It all works to the advantage of the band, who are able to craft something compelling and infinitely re-listenable, out of its unorthodox style. It is challenging music, but in the absolute best sense of the word.
Now that Owls have gotten back together, we should all be hoping that they stay together, and we don’t have to wait another 13 years for their third album! This is certainly a unique way for the band to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump, but have no fear, they are better now than they were back then. This is definitely one to check out!
Key Tracks: “The Lion”, “Ancient Stars Seed”, “Four Works of Art”
Artists With Similar Fire: Slint / The Dismemberment Plan / Fugazi
Owls Website
Owls Facebook
Polyvinyl Records
– Reviewed by Kevin Poindexter
Born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, I am extremely proud of the area I grew up in and the influence it has had on the world at large, from the Wright Brothers to Robert Pollard, the area has been a center of innovation both technologically and artistically. During my college years at the University of Dayton, I found myself becoming more and more immersed in the local music scene, a period of time in the early to mid 90's that coincided with the rise of bands like Guided by Voices, Brainiac, and The Breeders, who added to the rich musical legacy of the area. Dayton is also the hometown of many giants of funk in the 70's and is also the birthplace of Jazz greats Billy Strayhorn, John Scofield and Bud Shank. I wrote extensively for The Fire Note, a great online magazine focused on indie rock, in the 2010's while simultaneously being a partner in Rockathon Records, before retiring from both in 2018. In 2024, my thoughts turned back to helping at Rockathon and more importantly to pick back up on my writing, and more specifically to write about my love of jazz. I'm always listening, always searching for something new, something great. It's been a lifelong journey, and I still feel like there is so much out there to hear.
- Kevin Poindexterhttps://thefirenote.com/author/kpoindexter/
- Kevin Poindexterhttps://thefirenote.com/author/kpoindexter/
- Kevin Poindexterhttps://thefirenote.com/author/kpoindexter/
- Kevin Poindexterhttps://thefirenote.com/author/kpoindexter/
I LOVE this album. It’s even better than their first. This is emo for people who don’t like emo.