Artist Review: Brendan Benson, You Were Right (Readymade)
Artist: Brendan Benson
Album: You Were Right
Genre: Power Pop / Rock
RIYL: Big Star, Ben Kweller, Elvis Costello, Rhett Miller
It’s often difficult to articulate what’s so inherently different about listening to a Brendan Benson album versus another artist. Benson is a musical chameleon in the best sense possible; he has a knack for sounding equally comfortable sitting in the pocket of a laid back classic rock vibe as well as pushing the boundaries of conventional power pop. Somehow, through the style shifts, he maintains that ability to connect lyrically with simplicity, wit and charm. You Were Right taps straight into Benson at his best, displaying his encyclopedic musical knowledge and crafty lyricism from the first note to the last.
Benson’s material on You Were Right is steeped in his signature humor-via-heartbreak wrapped up in power pop chords and pointed lyrics. Self-released on Readymade Records, Benson continues to make choices that enhance and embrace his creative individualism with a sense of self-deprecation and humor that doesn’t sacrifice musicality. I appreciate this willingness to retain that purity of self; and Benson’s ability to translate this type of honesty into artistry that endures in its quirky and unadulterated form.
“It’s Your Choice” opens the record with a blast of classic pop, and Benson’s signature pure vocal style. It’s instantly catchy, feeling familiar but fresh. “As of Tonight” finds Benson treading into similar territory musically, but digging into guitar chords . “Diamond” brings the bite of Benson’s hometown of Nashville into the mix; a twangy vibe combined with strong harmonies evoking a southern vibe. “I Don’t Wanna See You Anymore” is a bit of a surprise, and an incredibly powerful addition to this record. Lyrically, it’s very Benson; but the vocal delivery, the depth of the musical arrangement and instrumentation find our leading man at a fever pitch. It’s a musical anomaly, but it leaves a strong impression.
“I’ll Never Tell” is another burner of a song, with tinges of reggae and soul, amplified with Benson’s cutting vocals and well-paced electric guitar and bass lines. “Swallow You Whole” delivers yet another piano-laced change of pace. “She’s Trying to Poison Me” is a knockout lyrically, a not-so-subtle sampling of Benson’s knack for finding just the right words to tell us a story that compels repeated listens. “Red White & Blues” is also distinct in that it may be the track that gives the most obvious nod to his partnership with Jack White as part of The Raconteurs. I would be remiss if I didn’t at least mention that Benson’s backing band on this record include former members of The Posies and The Cardinals (of Ryan Adams), and their experience and talent allow Benson to shine even brighter with this record.
No one does dark humor for the lovelorn better than Benson. His lyrical dissection of love and its many manifestations deliver wonderfully unique songs that show range and truly entertain. Benson is a total performer and his personality is directly injected into every note. He makes it sound easy, developing his lyrics and musical arrangements in such an organic fashion that nothing sounds out of step. And those leaps that we make musically with him throughout You Were Right are ones we make willingly, because somehow Benson makes love’s trials and tribulations sound so damn entertaining. Benson proves that if you can’t laugh, you’ll cry. And You Were Right will cure what currently ails you.
Brendan Benson website: http://www.brendanbenson.com/
Readymade Records: http://www.readymaderecords.com/
(This originally appeared on Indie-Music.com at: http://www.indie-music.com/ee/index.php/blog/comments/review_brendan_benson_you_were_right)
Album: You Were Right
Genre: Power Pop / Rock
RIYL: Big Star, Ben Kweller, Elvis Costello, Rhett Miller
It’s often difficult to articulate what’s so inherently different about listening to a Brendan Benson album versus another artist. Benson is a musical chameleon in the best sense possible; he has a knack for sounding equally comfortable sitting in the pocket of a laid back classic rock vibe as well as pushing the boundaries of conventional power pop. Somehow, through the style shifts, he maintains that ability to connect lyrically with simplicity, wit and charm. You Were Right taps straight into Benson at his best, displaying his encyclopedic musical knowledge and crafty lyricism from the first note to the last.
Benson’s material on You Were Right is steeped in his signature humor-via-heartbreak wrapped up in power pop chords and pointed lyrics. Self-released on Readymade Records, Benson continues to make choices that enhance and embrace his creative individualism with a sense of self-deprecation and humor that doesn’t sacrifice musicality. I appreciate this willingness to retain that purity of self; and Benson’s ability to translate this type of honesty into artistry that endures in its quirky and unadulterated form.
“It’s Your Choice” opens the record with a blast of classic pop, and Benson’s signature pure vocal style. It’s instantly catchy, feeling familiar but fresh. “As of Tonight” finds Benson treading into similar territory musically, but digging into guitar chords . “Diamond” brings the bite of Benson’s hometown of Nashville into the mix; a twangy vibe combined with strong harmonies evoking a southern vibe. “I Don’t Wanna See You Anymore” is a bit of a surprise, and an incredibly powerful addition to this record. Lyrically, it’s very Benson; but the vocal delivery, the depth of the musical arrangement and instrumentation find our leading man at a fever pitch. It’s a musical anomaly, but it leaves a strong impression.
“I’ll Never Tell” is another burner of a song, with tinges of reggae and soul, amplified with Benson’s cutting vocals and well-paced electric guitar and bass lines. “Swallow You Whole” delivers yet another piano-laced change of pace. “She’s Trying to Poison Me” is a knockout lyrically, a not-so-subtle sampling of Benson’s knack for finding just the right words to tell us a story that compels repeated listens. “Red White & Blues” is also distinct in that it may be the track that gives the most obvious nod to his partnership with Jack White as part of The Raconteurs. I would be remiss if I didn’t at least mention that Benson’s backing band on this record include former members of The Posies and The Cardinals (of Ryan Adams), and their experience and talent allow Benson to shine even brighter with this record.
No one does dark humor for the lovelorn better than Benson. His lyrical dissection of love and its many manifestations deliver wonderfully unique songs that show range and truly entertain. Benson is a total performer and his personality is directly injected into every note. He makes it sound easy, developing his lyrics and musical arrangements in such an organic fashion that nothing sounds out of step. And those leaps that we make musically with him throughout You Were Right are ones we make willingly, because somehow Benson makes love’s trials and tribulations sound so damn entertaining. Benson proves that if you can’t laugh, you’ll cry. And You Were Right will cure what currently ails you.
Brendan Benson website: http://www.brendanbenson.com/
Readymade Records: http://www.readymaderecords.com/
(This originally appeared on Indie-Music.com at: http://www.indie-music.com/ee/index.php/blog/comments/review_brendan_benson_you_were_right)
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