Owen Franklin - The Not-So-Great Gatsby
by Lisa Torem
published: 25 / 5 / 2011
Label:
Owen Franklin
Format: CDS
intro
Unpolished, yet catchy second EP from 19 year old singer-songwriter and pianist, Owen Franklin
19 year old singer-songwriter Owen Franklin's second release, ‘The Not-So-Great Gatsby’ finds him fiddling with the classic story written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Franklin sings and plays piano on nearly all tracks and has a youthful way of combining images and bursts of vivid emotion. He’s no Dylan or Jason Mraz, but there is an unpolished, tongue-in cheek attitude on the title song. He has obviously felt rejection and wants to set the record straight. His sharp, verbose and spiteful reaction is all evidenced in the final product which is catchy, but diamond-in-the rough. Franklin cites Billy Joel, Dylan and Springsteen as his idols, and he hopes to also convey the feelings of hope, not just loss, through his lyricism. I don’t think he’s quite defined himself, yet, which may mean that, down the road, we’ll see more diverse material. Still, his original way of seeing the world is refreshing. The faintly-sung ‘The Tempest’ (Part 1) suggests 1960s American folkies and it’s delightful to hear him sing, “Lately I’ve been thinking of how we’re all getting older.” ‘She Walks in Beauty’ has some adventurous bars of space-aged music which uniquely fade and introduce more traditional rock riffs.
Track Listing:-
1 The Not-So-Great Gatsby2 She Walks In Beaty
3 The Tempest (Part One )
4 The Not-So-Great Gatsby (Clean Radio Version)
Band Links:-
http://www.owenfranklinmusic.com/https://www.facebook.com/owenfranklinmusic
https://www.youtube.com/user/OwenFranklinMusic
https://plus.google.com/113127995281114761039
http://owenfranklinmusic.bandcamp.com/
reviews |
The Film Noir EP (2011) |
Impressive EP of frequently hilarious confessional rock from Manchester-based singer-songwriter and musician, Owen Franklin |
Portrait of the Young Man as an Artist (2011) |
most viewed articles
current edition
The Church - Interview with Steve KilbeySimon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Liam Gallagher and John Squire - Olympia Theatre, Dublin, 16/3/2024
Nico - Profile
Sami Sumner - Interview
Doug Dillard Expedition - Live At The Hotel Fremont, Las Vegas, September 1970
most viewed reviews
current edition
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for BreadKula Shaker - Natural Magick
Ian Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Vampire Weekend - Only God Was Above Us
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes - Dark Rainbow
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart