There is something enticingly subtle yet expansive about ‘L’Ami du Pueple’. For his first full studio produced album in Owen’s twelve year history, Mike Kinsella has retained the gentle tones that dominated his previous records while borrowing ideas from his earlier outfits American Football and Cap’n’Jazz.
This seventh full-length from Owen won’t bring any disillusioned fans of his past career rushing back to the gates, yet it is his most rock inspired record to date. Gentle acoustic inspired indie remains the order of the day, but the emo-rock of old begins to rear its head again in a significant number of tracks.
‘Coffin Comparisons’ mixes the unmistakable Owen sound with Death Cab For Cutie’s penchant for a melancholic melody, and while ‘Bad Blood’ increases the comparable tempo of the track with unhinged-pop not unlike Brand New or Cursive, tracks such as ‘Who Cares?’ strip the sound right back to expose the immense beauty.
Predominantly Kinsella’s past lives on through the album’s lyrical content. Not just characterised by the occasional curse word, the constant self-reflection gives the record its alternative edge. Kinsella’s evolution to family man encourages a shift in lyrical direction – rather than focussing on his struggled relationship with his elders, he has now become that elder.
Removed from the egocentric relationship fodder that would inhabit indie versions of these tracks, Kinsella instead adopts the heavier lyrical content that is often linked to the aforementioned off-kilter rock bands, adding depth to the record.
Perhaps not quite the revolution it had the potential to become, ‘L’Ami du Pueple’ is still an evolution in Owen’s sound. Working with producer Neil Strauch has added layers to Kinsella’s work; although not overshadowing the intimate beauty. Instead allowing him to explore his style and expand his repertoire.
At its core ‘L’Ami du Pueple’ remains a beautifully crafted emotional indie record, but there are enough of his late 90’s emo roots pushing through to make this an excitingly engaging listen for old fans, and potentially a few new ones.
BEN TIPPLE