Elly Roberts reviews
Ben Kweller: Ben Kweller
Distributed by
Columbia Records
- Released: September 2006
- Rating: 6/10
Third album from 25 year old American singer-songwriter-multi-instrumentalist Ben Kweller,
former member of failed Grunge rockers Radish, where he was vocalist-guitarist.
This eponymous album was recorded in New York and mixed in London.
Geeky Kweller, looking ten years younger, has been blessed with some
impressive folks around him in his formative years – his dad was a friend of
Bruce Springsteen guitarist Nils Lofgren.
From an early age he emulated Lofgren, progressing to piano, writing his own
tunes. He also dabbled with drums. In 2003 he collaborated with Aussie musical
stablemate Ben Lee (Awake Is The New Sleep) and Yank Ben Folds on a
series of dates in Australia. He also appeared on Folds’ limited edition EP
‘The Bens’.
With his gentle freewheeling style, Kweller has possibly hit the button that
brought success for Daniel Powter last year, with Bad Day. Ultimately,
its success will depend on a ‘Later.. with Jools Holland’ or a BBC
Radio 2 playlisting.
As sweet as voice is, and the highly accessible music, it does lack a ‘killer’
track, though I Don’t Know Why might get some attention, with is catchy
hooks and melody.
The solemn piano work of Sundress eventually springs into life with happy-go lucky
uplifting touches, and Beach Boys harmonies, possibly making a good edited
single. Piano led ballad Thirteen has a flavour of old-school Neil Young about
it, principally via the harmonica break. Jaunty Penny…rustles things up amid
the mellower moments, complete with thrusting chorus and hook, where he
stretches his vocal range. Elsewhere, I Don’t Know Why is clearly
influenced by Ben Lee’s acoustic outings. Until I Die sees him singing
his sweetest moments – a song of lost love and regret.
Overall the music is very adult orientated even if some of the lyrics are a
tad immature.
The full list of tracks included are :
Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
