Ben Kweller – Sha 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.
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…”
ben kweller is ill
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.
The new Ben Folds solo album is tremendous too, and a very good fit if you like Ben Kweller.
BEN KWELLER IS AMAAAAAZING!!! ALTHOUGH HIS LYRICS ARE A LITTLE WEIRD @ TIMES, HIS MELODIES AND ARTISTIC ABILITIES REALLY SHINE THROUGH FROM START TO FINISH!
HE RAWKS
REALLY
THIS IS KEWL… YOU GUYZ ARE SHIT HEADS…