February Fables

Initially, Stoughton, Wisconsin’s Paul Otteson meant for his debut, February Fables, to be part of FAWM—February Album Writing Month, in which the artist writes a new song every other day for the month of February and ostensibly finishes with a completed record. But whether due to masochism or pragmatism, Otteson stretched his deadline over a few Februaries, and the lengthened writing process shows. Each song on February Fables is calculated, precise, and self-contained. Otteson’s debut is connected through texture and delivery, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find any rehashing of ideas across its 11 tracks.

February Fables very directly aligns itself with nature. Every song title alludes to some form of wilderness, and the cover art illustrates the startling confrontation depicted on the album’s final track, “The Bear And The Two Travelers.” Otteson enlisted Madison A-listers Jeremiah Nelson and Luke Bassuener (Control, Asumaya) for assistance, but it’s pretty clear he was comfortable enough writing on his own. He shows a keen ear for how guitar and violin melodies should go together, and also flashes an able hand on piano on “The Laborer And The Nightingale.” He is meticulous with his hooks, crafting detailed arrangements that toe the line between campfire romanticism and armchair balladry.

But unlike more antiquated folk offshoots, Otteson’s style is similar to shape-shifting folk band Breathe Owl Breathe in that both are more playful than adventurous. Thematically, February Fables is inspired by Aesop’s Fables, and it is that fairytale wilderness that comes through. It’s lighthearted and fun, but as such it lacks any distinct change of pace or actual danger. Otteson’s soft, high-pitched voice is warming, but it starts to lose traction after spending so much time running laps around the same register. It seems disingenuous to say an album with bountiful ideas and that is so full of life has a hard time staying fresh, but what we get on February Fables is a strong, internally complex collection of songs wound ultra-tight that could have benefited from playing a little more loose and uninhibited.