Ben Kweller – Changing Horses Review
It has been seven years since the world was formally introduced to Ben Kweller and his brand of poppy song-smithing. A prolific few years, mind you – he has created four solo albums and several EPs to date, collaborated with Ben Folds and Ben Lee as The Bens, contributed to Bright Eyes’ Four Winds, and toured like crazy.
It’s a pity it went mostly unnoticed.
His new album, Changing Horses, which was originally slated for a September 2008 release, is not the Ben Kweller you might remember, if you remember him at all. That’s because he’s gone country, folks. Just like every other musician you know.
However, it’s not all bad news. Think Mutations-era Beck (“Bottle of Blues”). It seems to work, although it won’t establish Kweller as a maverick of any kind.
“Gypsy Rose” is bluesy and deceptively simple, as is “Hurtin’ You”, featuring harmonies that suggest Howe Gelb’s “Get To Leave”. “Wantin’ Her Again” and “Fight” are pages torn from the book of 1970s country hitmakers, complete with piano solo and slide guitar. Kweller isn’t doing much of a job of concealing his Texan upbringing. “Some days are aces / some days are faces / some days are twos and threes” – with lyrics like these, it’s probable that Kweller has been digging through a Ryan Adams bargain bin. “Sawdust Man” feels like an ode to Paul McCartney’s bearded years (“Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” or “Honey Pie”) with the most laughable of lyrics. “On Her Own” is borderline Counting Crows, a very unfortunate comparison.
“Homeward Bound”, which finally showcases Kweller’s keyboarding skills, is something of a hymn, all questions and twang, with country clichés such as angels in heaven and “waiting at the station”. “Ballad of Wendy Baker” is a bright spot – “I’m the one who likes change, but I feel taken by surprise” Kweller sings over strings and a punchy bassline. This song and “Old Hat” feel most like Kweller’s previous work, with familiar percussion, subtle piano and singalong chorus.
Kweller’s wavering voice, after all these years, still sounds pre-pubescent, and he has yet to stray from his comfort zone – a safe place filled with acoustic guitar and romantic sentiments. It’s the perfect coffee shop music, a pleasant but unaffecting collection of ballads, and an indifferent backdrop for a lonely day.
Ben Kweller plays the Mod Club in Toronto on February 22.
MP3:
Ben Kweller – Ballad of Wendy Baker
Ben Kweller – Hurtin’ You
Buy at:
Amazon
Tags: album