The Republic of Wolves, "His Old Branches"

The Republic of Wolves
“His Old Branches EP”
(Self-Released)

(****/5)

Long Island indie rock outfit, The Republic of Wolves, got off to a rather odd start by having their demo tracks erroneously listed as new Brand New songs on Youtube. Despite the similarities between the songs that appear on the Wolves’ debut extended player, “His Old Branches,” and Brand New’s “Fight Off Your Demons,” the band probably has more in common with the likes of late-90’s era Built to Spill and Red House Painters.

Unlike electro-pop star, Owl City, who shameless apes the Postal Service, The Republic of Wolves, while at times derivative of some great bands, are more than capable of playing their instruments and writing complicated, angular parts. Even the most pop-oriented song, “Cardinals,” has its caustic moments.

The Republic of Wolves Myspace



-- Ryan Pangilinan

Owen, "New Leaves"

Owen
“New Leaves”
(Polyvinyl)

(****/5)

Mike Kinsella’s solo endeavor, Owen, always seems to be overshadowed by his past bands, whether it’s Cap’n Jazz or American Football. For many years, Kinsella has been playing under the Owen moniker and his stripped down folkie indie aesthetic is a stark contrast to the off-time, off-beat and weird direction that his frequent collaborator and brother Tim Kinsella often finds himself in.

The thing I most enjoy about Owen is how consistent the quality in Kinsella’s work is. There’s a clear line from 2002’s “No Good for No One” to his latest record “New Leaves,” from literary references to the vulnerability in Kinsella’s voice, it’s easy to see his linear thought process.

“New Leaves” is an easy going album. The record’s lead single “Good Friends, Bad Habits” is the type of track that can bring generations of rock fans together, while the middle track “Brown Hair in a Bird’s Nest” is a wispy song that can find itself placed in some Zack Braff movie.

Let it be known that even though Kinsella isn’t breaking new ground, he is one of the most underrated songwriters out there right now writing material that is geared towards people who’ve walked away from “the scene” and find themselves hanging out with their significant others, cooking dinners for their family and reading T.S. Eliot on a train ride to work. That kind of storytelling ability is seldom present into today’s contemporary pop landscape, but Owen’s “New Leaves” has the kind of narrative that should be embraced.

Owen's Myspace



-- Ryan Pangilinan

The Ambulars, "Summer of the Ambulars"

The Ambulars
“Summer of the Ambulars”
(Self-Released)

(*****/5)

Taking on the powerpop stylings of genre stalwarts like The Promise Ring and the Get Up Kids, DC’s The Ambulars are a newish band putting their stamp in a world filled with neon shirts, shitty tattoos and annoying, overproduced records.

Their full-band EP, “Summer of the Ambulars” is refreshing inasmuch as it acts as a snapshot of a simpler time; a time when there were Krazy Fests instead of Bamboozle and going to Warped Tour didn’t cost $50.

The opening of the first track, “The Rains” starts with a two-track run through of the chorus before the band comes in together. The song also has one of the better lyrics with the line “When it all seems to go to hell/Maybe I will see you there.” It’s just asking to be written on some poor bastard’s mixtape.

From there, the rest of the EP gets better with songs like “Northern” and “Bookmarked.” There are also some great male/female vocal interplays in the songs, which makes The Ambulars far more unique than newbie bands that are tearing up Paramore’s table scraps.

The Ambulars Myspace



-- Ryan Pangilinan