Owen Franklin - The Film Noir EP

  by Andy Cassidy

published: 29 / 11 / 2011

Label: Owen Franklin
Format: CDS

intro

Impressive EP of frequently hilarious confessional rock from Manchester-based singer-songwriter and musician, Owen Franklin

'The Film Noir EP' is a collection of three songs released in advance of Owen Franklin’s planned, and as yet untitled, 2012 album. The EP’s first song, 'Danse Macabre', opens with a chirpy keyboard line, quickly joined by chiming guitar and a solid drum track. The upbeat music is at odds with the dark lyrics, and this juxtaposition works well. Franklin says that when writing this song, he “toyed with the image of some smoky speakeasy” and I can understand where he’s coming from – there is a sleazy quality to the song, a lyrical gloom which conflicts with the buoyant musical arrangement. 'Teetotal' is an amusing track detailing the horrors of the hangover through some hilarious imagery. Lyrically, the song lists the thoughts each of us has had at some point – “I spent all my money and I feel like a prick” and “my stomach feels like a blender” are just two of the well-observed thoughts of the hungover narrator. Musically 'Teetotal' is similar to Danse Macabre in its arrangement and upbeat sound. The last track on the EP, 'Going Home', builds from a simple piano piece and develops into a blistering rock guitar solo before changing direction again and taking the form of a funk/soul instrumental with some truly fantastic musicianship. The music on 'The Film Noir EP' is of a high standard, and Harrison’s lyrics, particularly on 'Teetotal', are thoughtful, inspired and humorous. There is a lot to like on the three tracks, but its twelve minute running time provides too small a taste for one to make any decisions on the quality of the forthcoming album. If the remainder of the album is up to the standard of these three tracks, however, Franklin will have created a particularly impressive album – I’m looking forward to checking it out.

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