AMG Review of I Do Perceive

David Serra
All Music Guide

Mike Kinsella continues as Owen on his third full-length, I Do Perceive, out on Polyvinyl. Kinsella constructs sensitive, emotional music, showcasing nice hooks and skillful guitar picking against electronic and acoustic drumbeats. Whispery vocals crack from exhaustion throughout I Do Perceive -- dramatic words weigh physically on Owen to the point where Kinsella can barely get anything out. The music is in the emo-indie rock camp with the likes of Pedro the Lion and Dashboard Confessional, songs of relationships and longing with melodramatics included. Kinsella is most successful when he changes up the structure and instrumentation within a song. "That Tattoo Isn't Funny Anymore" and "Bed Abuse" are standout tracks with interesting time changes and lush switches from solo acoustic guitar to full band atmospherics. I Do Perceive is more of the same from Owen -- a decent, melancholy release that stands up with others from his discography.