I'm fortunate that I didn't miss this album altogether. I may have never found out about this guy if it weren't for HBO's Reverb, On the night in question, the fabulous Flaming Lips opened the show, followed by a knockout set by Wilco. I'd never heard of the third act, but I'm glad I stayed awake because now I have a new favorite album. The next morning I looked around Salt Lake for this guy Owsley and his band for their debut album--no luck, so when I got back to St. George I ordered it immediately, and I highly recommend that you do the same.

This guy is as cool as they come. His music is the kind of terrific Beatlesque pop that brings to mind bands such as Crowded House, Jellyfish, Matthew Sweet and Ben Folds Five. It's an album so loaded with memorable hooks that you seriously can't get them out of your head. His band flawlessly fleshes out these ditties and their leader is an amazing singer and an even more impressive guitar player. Owsley will no doubt find it's way on my years top ten, and this is saying alot--it's been a great year.

There really isn't a bad song in the bag. It might be a little too pop-driven and syrupy for some. But it has one hell of alot to recommend it, and with the exception of Fountains of Wayne's Utopia Parkway, it's probably the best album of it's kind released this year. Actually the album was released in March by Warner Brothers, but until the other night it had managed to elude my ever-vigilant eye. If any of you took my recommendation and picked up Bicycle and liked it, Owsley will more than likely have you jumping around the living room.