With some exceptionally positive press coverage of their first two EPs I was looking forward  to hearing this long player from Dubliner noiseniks Autumn Owls. Formed in 2007, the trio have been paying their gigging dues with extensive tours of the UK, Scaninavia & Europe before taking to the task of penning their first album earlier this year. The Owls were delighted to have the opportunity to work with producer Brian Deck (Iron and Wine, Modest Mouse) in recording  ‘Between Buildings, Toward the sea’.

It’s an album that builds on the off kilter sensibilities displayed in their earlier releases and displays an ambition and scope of sonic ambition that really shows a band working in the creative ‘zone’. Opener ‘Semaphores’ opens with a sense of atmospheric melancholia  more oft associated with an act like Sigur Ros, then the rasping vocal kicks in the sweeping melody takes over . It’s a triumph of substance over style and a powerful statement of intent for what is to follow. The tight riff of second track ‘Unconvinced’ is reminiscent of Kid A era Radiohead and builds on the opening momentum and takes things up a notch. Other highlights include the dark and intricately layered nuance of ‘Great Atlantic Drift’ and the eerie and shimmering guitar strains that dominate‘Patterns’. There’s an epic quality to the haunting second to last number ‘All the lights in New York’ that really stays with you. This really is a record that draws in the listener and improves with each additional listen.

In short this is a really solid album from an act that that are after achieving that rarest of things an album that can be equally parts experimental and immersive for the listener. Frontman Gary McFarlane’s vocal is all laidback menace and compliments the band’s sound perfectly. It’s a really interesting and assured debut from an act that we are undoubtedly going to be hearing more from in 2012

 Niall Healy.