Owen

I hesitate to call my relationship with Mike Kinsella a “love affair.” A phrase better suited for our situation would probably be “profound fascination.” Aside from following every step of the Chicago-based musician’s work in bands like Cap ‘N Jazz, American Football, Joan of Arc, and Owls, I’ve made it a point to hear his entire output as a solo artist, released under the name Owen. I held his debut, self-titled album, in such high regard when I was a highschool senior that I spent the entire year recording an EP for my graduation project that was inspired almost solely by that record. There is something in his scratchy, sincere vocal delivery, softly off-kilter guitar riffs, and poignant songwriting that works in perfect chorus with being simultaneously joyous and hopeful about life.

On his fifth long-player, the forthcoming New Leaves, Kinsella sounds as if he’s reimagining that first album with a host of additional instruments and almost a decade of experience. The opening title-track tells of his coming of age as a married man and new father who has put away with childish things. Mike has gone so far as to call himself a “house broken, one woman man” on album standout “Amnesia and Me.” While I can’t say I’ve matured as quickly, I adore the sentiment and find myself as equally intrigued with his personal growth as his discography. You can’t say that about many artists, especially the still-living and well-adjusted. -Patric Fallon

Free Download-”Good Friends, Bad Habits” Owen, New Leaves

Links and Listen:

www.myspace.com/mybandowen

“Good Friends, Bad Habits” Owen, New Leaves

Download-”Good Friends, Bad Habits” Owen, New Leaves