Ben Kweller – Sha Sha

September 26, 2002 8 Comments by Jake Brown

Ben KwellerSha Sha (ATO Records)

It’s easy and simplistic to make comparisons to what this album sounds like. There’s a lot of Weezer and a lot of Ben Folds. But so what? What have those guys done lately that’s made you give a shit? When I first heard “Family Tree” on Loyola’s excellent student radio station, I was more reminded of the Grateful Dead and the Beatles. Tell me that the acoustic guitar break doesn’t remind you of “I’m Only Sleeping.”

This is a solid album with several great, engaging songs. Sure, there are some dumb lyrics (“Sex reminds her of eating spaghetti” — even if that did come from Doom Generation, it’s still stupid). This is the direction Weezer should have gone in, but didn’t. And even if he hasn’t totally found his own voice yet, cut him a little slack. He’s only 20. Ben Kweller is definitely one to keep an eye on.

8 Comments

  1. Trevor
    3487 days ago

    Am I the only one to hear an uncanny resemblence (especially lyrically/vocally) to a little two-piece from a while back called Fountains of Wayne

    “…crumbs in his beard, from the seafood special…”

  2. sean regan
    3469 days ago

    ben kweller is ill

  3. mark
    3451 days ago

    let’s not forget about fountains of wayne. i don’t hear as many comparisons, but perhaps that’s because i’m a huge fan of both BK and FoW. check out the url if you forgot that FoW still existed.

  4. Andy
    3433 days ago

    The new Ben Folds solo album is tremendous too, and a very good fit if you like Ben Kweller.

  5. Anonymous
    3002 days ago

    BEN KWELLER IS AMAAAAAZING!!! ALTHOUGH HIS LYRICS ARE A LITTLE WEIRD @ TIMES, HIS MELODIES AND ARTISTIC ABILITIES REALLY SHINE THROUGH FROM START TO FINISH!

  6. Anonymous
    3002 days ago

    HE RAWKS

  7. Anonymous
    3002 days ago

    REALLY

  8. Anonymous
    3002 days ago

    THIS IS KEWL… YOU GUYZ ARE SHIT HEADS…

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