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Owl John
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Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 6 Ratings

  • Summary: The debut solo release for Frightened Rabbit's Scott Hutchison as Owl John was produced by band mate Andy Monaghan and Olympic Swimmers' Simon Liddell.
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Top Track

A Good Reason to Grow Old
Good grief and Grace turn their backs to me Push shovels into the cold sand In a pulse-racing second They gave up on their awful toil Hell on earth... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Sputnikmusic
    Aug 5, 2014
    90
    Gorgeous melodies are painted across a variety of instrumental backgrounds, forming an ideal blend of his more traditional emotionally-charged ballads and bolder, more unfamiliar pieces.
  2. AllMusic
    Aug 13, 2014
    80
    Despite being only a side project, the sheer quality and array of styles found on Owl John's self-titled debut is testament to the prolific songwriting skills of Scott Hutchison.
  3. Mojo
    Sep 12, 2014
    80
    The immediacy and bare-wire fizz suit his lyrical candour. [Oct 2014, p.96]
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  4. Under The Radar
    Sep 5, 2014
    75
    While similar extra-curricular efforts tend to do little more than appease a frontman's runaway ego, Owl John is the sound of Scott Hutchison returning to his roots. [Sep/Oct 2014, p.78]
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  5. musicOMH.com
    Aug 4, 2014
    70
    Hutchison may seem down on himself on this record, but the music is full of creative energy.
  6. Clash Music
    Aug 1, 2014
    70
    A more than worthy gesture from a distinctive, engrossing voice.
  7. DIY Magazine
    Aug 1, 2014
    60
    The album is a mismatch of styles, moods and tempos. There is little cohesion and each song feels like a thought or idea alone on the record--like a collection of B-sides or rarities.

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. TallSaint
    Aug 6, 2014
    10
    What an outstanding return-to-form. Very heavy on the bitter-sweet melodies that we have come to hope for from Hutchison. The melodies hereWhat an outstanding return-to-form. Very heavy on the bitter-sweet melodies that we have come to hope for from Hutchison. The melodies here are far more infectious than Pedestrian Verse and sound like they fit somewhere between TMOF and TWOMD. A beautifully atmospheric, delicate album that weaves its way between the lo-fi and the anthemic. This will appeal to those that discovered this melancholy genius five or six years ago.… Expand
  2. GarboTaste
    Jul 13, 2018
    7
    Scott Hutchison's death made me revisit this album recently and I'm glad I did. After seeing him say in an interview before this album cameScott Hutchison's death made me revisit this album recently and I'm glad I did. After seeing him say in an interview before this album came out that he wanted to make something that specifically wasn't Frightened Rabbit I thought it was going to hold him back. I admittedly put it on while doing something else. I didn't give it my full attention and didn't think much of it when it was released. However, upon listening to it again recently I've realized while maybe not as complex and well put together instrumentally as say Midnight Organ Fight, It still has a ton of soul from Scott. I think this is my favorite work from him since The Winter Of Mixed Drinks.… Expand
  4. ctspectator
    Aug 4, 2014
    6
    The debut album from Owl John, a side project from Frightened Rabbit's front man Scott Hutchison, sounds more like a group of ideas that couldThe debut album from Owl John, a side project from Frightened Rabbit's front man Scott Hutchison, sounds more like a group of ideas that could form cuts from Frightened Rabbit's Pedestrian Verse rather than merit a new side project. Besides Hutchison's vocal style, some of his hooks and usual self loathing lyrics, the album musically lacks continuity between tracks and feels like it is wandering into a rather boring direction instead of being a cohesive unit and culminating into any new thought.… Expand

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