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Ben Kweller: Southbound's lookin' pretty good

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Creation Date: Tue, 12-2-08 4:48 PM
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Just some album/live show (Chicago) reviews I've written up. By all means, tell me what you think!
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In General Ben Kweller: Southbound's lookin' pretty good Entry Tools Rate This Entry
  #3 Old Tue, 12-2-08 5:00 PM
Ben Kweller: Southbound's lookin' pretty good With the release of Ben Kweller’s new EP, “How Ya Lookin’ Southbound? Come in…” came a total revamp in the humble rocker’s style and tone. Compared to his previous albums which were all fairly standard indie-pop (don’t get me wrong, I love the man and all of his albums), the seven track limited edition EP is a throwback to Kweller’s country days. With an excess of steel guitar, twangy vocals, danceable beats and catchy lyrics, “How Ya Lookin’ Southbound” is definitely a treat; mind you, this is coming from someone who loathes country music. This is a big deal.

The EP starts off kickin’ with “Fight,” giving the listener a taste of what’s in store. With honky-tonk piano solos and melodic chorus harmonies, BK definitely gets the ball rolling with this toe-tap-inducing opening track.

Next comes a pleasant number called “Things I like to do” which is almost a country soaked version of “Sha Sha (How it should be.)” Kweller’s trademark simple rhyming lyrics and nonchalant demeanor are ever-present in this one, only now there just so happens to be a steel guitar sliding in the background instead of the impromptu distorted solo…not so fond of this one.

Track three is when it gets interesting. “Sawdust Baby” is the blueprint for what is now “Sawdust Man”, the next track. I had a chance to talk with Ben about this in Chicago and he explained how he just could not get this hook out of his head and had to pull out his voice recorder on the Subway to record it. I mean come on, how much more authentic and raw can you get?

“Sawdust man” is, without a doubt, my favorite track on the EP. It seems as though BK finally found the perfect balance between his old faithful style and his new twang. With a wailing chorus and an awesome dance-break bridge, Mr. Ben Kweller knocks it out of the park with this one.

“The Biggest Flower” is a little break from the honky-tonk we've been hearing and is fairly reminiscent of BK’s self-titled previous album. This song is definitely more about Kweller’s lyrics, not the kicks and solos we’ve heard on the previous tracks, although there is a nice pick up in the second chorus.

“F-Train Blues/Gypsy Rosita” is the same sort of blueprint deal as “Sawdust baby.” I can dig it.

The last track on the EP, “Somehow (singlemalt version)” showcases Kweller’s voice with an unfamiliar distortion-type effect. I don’t know how I feel about the voice alteration, but the song itself is your typical “come on come on baby, I need you now” Kweller plead. Enjoyable, but not a favorite.

I had the privilege of hanging out with Kweller before his latest show at Chicago’s Bottom Lounge this past October. We talked about Kweller’s past project, Radish, and his future album, “Changing Horses” which is being released in 2009, and life on the road. He’s a family man at heart and will always have time for his fans.

Not to mention he puts on a rockin’ live show. Photos to prove…
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