Record Boy Ink:

Did you ever wonder what Ben Folds would sound like if he were a guitar player instead of a piano man?

Neither have I.

However, a former band-mate of Folds, the mono-monikered Owsley (Giant Records), would instantly answer that question should it ever cross your mind.

That’s really the first thing that my ears heard on first listen to this record, but that’s not all I heard. Owsley is an experienced multi-instrumentalist and this hip, young popsmith has honed his chops in an unlikely way…he’s toured with both Amy Grant and Shania Twain!

That bit of info does not in anyway inform his own well crafted power pop ditties. This guy’s music is steeped in Todd Rundgren, 10cc, and of course the Beatles (no power popster worth his salt would fail to pay homage to the fab four). This record is filled with late 60’s early 70’s pop references and Record Boy had to rewind several snippets that caught his ears to identify the source. Don’t you love records that make you go "Hey…what does that part sound just like?" Aural trivial pursuit! Besides, I can’t remember the last record I listened to that made me think about Mott The Hoople.

Owsley recorded this album on his own and shopped it completed…take it or leave it. I have a feeling though that mixer Tom Lord-Alge was brought in at a later date to enhance half the tracks. Those of you who appreciate a well-recorded drum sound will be thrilled with how Chris McHugh’s drums sound on this record. Snappy and in your face.

Owsley is a fine musician who gets a great tone on his guitar and also plays the piano, Hammond B-3 and the Mellotron evocatively.

Young Owsley is a very talented fellow who hopefully has a lot more of this stuff in him. If you haven’t bought a sparkling debut album filled with well crafted power pop since_________(Marshall Crenshaw? Tommy Keene? Fill in the blank!), now’s yer chance!