Album Review: Owsley

Audacious musicians are the best. They've been all over the map with their talents and tastes, they've been a part of power-pop band The Semantics, they've toured with Shania Twain, Pat McGee, Amy Grant and Janis Joplin to get a foothold in the music industry, they've jammed with Ben Folds for fun. And then they retire to their living rooms in Alabama to craft their solo pilot over four meticulous years, which they subsequently drop off at the major labels with a rakish take-it-or-leave-it attitude until Giant Records snaps it up. As a result, they make music that's informed and intelligent, yet independent and fresh. That's Will Owsley, recommended by his history and spirit and supported by a very strong debut album of 11 rock gems. "Oh No the Radio" and "Coming Up Roses" are brief highlights of surprising vocal sinuations. "I'm Alright" could become an anthem of self-assertion. "Uncle John's Farm" is about as enjoyably pastoral as urban rock gets. The songs here don't address urgent issues or bleed hearts and even have a tendency to sound like one another, but they do serve blissful, slightly off-center rock with consistent crunch. They make you shut your eyes, nod emphatically and belch, "Yey-ahh. Thank god for audacious musicians."