OWSLEY (LIMITED TAN VINYL EDITION)

You probably heard Alabama-born multi-
instrumentalist Will Owsley before you

heard of him; he was a mainstay in the
bands of Amy Grant and Shania Twain
during the mid-'''90s. He then pulled a
Tom Scholz of Boston-style maneuver
and recorded his own album, which
he shopped to the major labels as a
take-it-or-leave-it deal. The Giant label
bit, as well they should have; Owsley is
one of the better power pop albums of
the '''90s and certainly one of the best
power pop debuts ever to come down
the pike (that this self-recorded album
got a Grammy nom for best engineered album is further testimony as to
Owsley''''s many talents). You''''ll hear a little Cars, a little Todd Rundgren, and
a healthy helping of Owsley''''s former bandmate Ben Folds, but the crunch of
Owsley''''s guitars makes sure the 'power' gets as much play as the 'pop.'
Highlights include 'Oh No the Radio,' 'Coming Up Roses,' and 'Good Old
Days,' but really this is a remarkably consistent album, full of hooks and
some sonic surprises (cello! organ!). Owsley makes its LP debut in a tan
vinyl edition limited to 1000 copies, complete with a full-color inner sleeve.
You''''ll be playing some of these songs on repeat in your head after a couple
of listens.