Ben Kweller

Changing Horses - Ben Kweller - 2009-02-02

Pre-listen feelings - hopeful and somewhat expectant - only know the artist from an appearance on Letterman recently. Was a high-energy performance of a song with a good hook and an interesting message.

Gypsy Rose - Nice voice over guitar with drums and bass coming in. Lots of space, love the slide guitar. 'world will make you cry', vocal not perfect but very heartfelt. Very sparse - 'world will suck you dry' - Sings about summer day and it feels that way, languid and with some regret but hope also.

Old Hat - nice pedal, he can become the 'old hat' she puts on her pretty head. Rather set her free, nice harmony and very strong vocal. Really lets it hang out. No fade on ending, regular - much better.

Fight - shades of Pancho and Lefty, more literal, this song could be/should be a hit. Wonder if it will find an audience. Toe tapping, finger-snapping barrel of fun and cautionary advice. Honky-tonk piano and pedal. First place his voice reminded me of Gram Parsons. Very strong influence. Another great ending. Can't beat a super ending, tight and thought out to a great song.

Hurtin' You - Indestructible Mom, always pulling everything together, real longing and some fear - she has to survive the hurt and come back - nice tune. Well sung.

Ballad of Wendy Baker - Feel like you are in the room with him, while he plays the guitar and sings about Wendy. No one loves till it's gone. Strings, 'rain inside your eyes', plaintive and emotion-laden vocals. Sparse bass line with only the strings and vocal. Bass doubling the melody. Very nice. Never mentions title, - shades of Gene Clark with the personal writing and singing.

Sawdust Man - Dobro and loose feeling - head over heals in love - on top of the Greyhound station, won't you please come home? Sounds like the Beatles? Direct homage. Killer track - could be another hit. Find an audience. Some kind of machine voice, CD radio again Beatlesque. Fade out, oh well.

Wantin' Her Again - she just wants me wantin' her again - bridge - nice change in tempo and structure - couple of bridges - guessing at what the girl from California wants.

Things I Like to Do - straightforward - thought about what he likes. Mainly with her - simple, heartfelt love song at the end.

On Her Own - Great pop song, Katrina reference, chorus that doesn't quit. Like other songs very interesting structure, will be more fun the more listens to the song/album.

Homeward Bound - homeless - hymnal quality, lost soul, nice Dobro and an Accapella section.

The Biggest Flower - out on the road, need some more listens - not a very strong song?

Really like the album first time through. Both accessible and leaves the strong impression the 2nd listen will be more interesting and fun than the first listen.

Wantin' Her Again - video - in the woods with his band-mates - kind of lame but I guess there's not much budget.