Between their first album and their submission to Couch by Couchwest, the Blind Owl Band was beginning to make a name for themselves as a rowdy, footloose bunch.
Imagine my surprise when their sophomore album opened with a somber tune called “Sailor’s Song.” It sets the tone for the rest of the album — hard-driving and determined. That’s not to say that the Owls have lost their sense of fun. There are plenty of boot-stompers on here. To the contrary, the Blind Owl Band is showing off their newfound maturity. But unlike other bands who create morose second albums to show off their Depth, the Blind Owl Band is simply devoting their manic energy in another direction. They still pick like it’s their job, and they still sound like they’ve just arrived from the depths of Appalachia.
If you’re fortunate enough to be in upper New York or Vermont, you should see the Blind Owl Band in action as they tour in support of the new album. (City-dwellers: we can catch them at The Knitting Factory on the 28th and 29th.)
You can name your own price for their first album here.