Since the break up of Cap'n Jazz, the various members have gone on to create a whole library of releases through various bands; Joan of Arc, the Promise Ring, Ghosts and Vodka, American Football, etc. All of those bands went in very different direction and achieved at least some modest level of success.
Now, without Davey Von Bohlen of the Promise Ring, they have reformed again under the moniker Owls, and have released a self-titled album. The good news: Owls combines all the great things you love about Joan of Arc, Ghosts and Vodka, and American Football! The Bad news: Owls combines all the things you dislike about Joan of Arc, Ghosts and Vodka, and American Football.
The album starts off extremely strong with "What Whorse You Wrote Id On," "Anyone Can Have A Good Time," "I Want the Quiet Moments of a Party Girl," and "Everyone Is My Friend." All four of the first songs perfectly combine the upbeat fun of Cap'n Jazz and the pop-deconstructionism of Joan of Arc. With all four of these songs, the band is at its best, with clever play-on-word vocal lines that slightly vary from one another, repeating and playing off of each other, unique and beautiful guitar picking, and chaotic time changes all over the place. At the end of the first four songs I was sure that this would be one of the best albums of the year. But, then the fifth song, "I Want the Blindingly Cute to Confide In Me," started.
"I Want the Blindingly Cute to Confide In Me," "For Nate's Brother Whose Name I Never Knew or Can't Remember," and "Holy Fucking Ghost," all three of these tracks are battling to become the worst three songs that any of their combined bands have made by taking the fun/goofy sounding side of Cap'n Jazz and Ghosts and Vodka up a few too many notches. Owls ruin what might have been some interesting songs by including loud dopey-sounding monotone back-up singing/talking over the majority of the vocal parts. But, even with only the addition of this poorly done vocal accompaniment, the songs are ruined. They come across as too forced, like Owls are trying too hard to be funny or weird.
Since the majority of the record is still completely spectacular, and the great songs will not be on anything else, the self-titled album is still definitely a record worth owning. It is just frustrating to have the album go off in such a disappointing direction.
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