Album Reviews

You might know Mike Kinsella from his time in hugely influential bands such as Cap’n Jazz, American Football, Owls or you may have heard of him through his solo work, released under the Owen moniker. Whatever, there’s no denying this guy knows a thing or two about writing songs. So what to expect when he’s releasing a cover album, which as we all know are more often miss than hit…

Aptly named “Other People’s Songs”, Kinsella tackles songs from artists as diverse as Against Me!, The Promise Ring, Lungfish and Depeche Mode and does so in a disarmingly stripped down way with touches of cello and violin here and there alongside piano, restrained drums and Sarah Mitchell’s soft voice.

Owen’s original material always comes with a gentle quality and painfully honest lyrics. This time around it’s basically the same thing but… well, with other people’s songs that Kinsella completely makes his own. If you are going to pick up just one covers album this year, make sure it’s this one!