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Brendan BensonThe Alternative To Love FMR When Brendan Benson was a tot, his parents used to put him between the stereo speakers and play Bowie and Led Zeppelin. Perhaps it was to drown out the sound of a screaming child, but nonetheless it seems to have had a positive effect on the man. The singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist's third album positively reeks of these musical influences. And believe me, it's a good thing: Benson has a pop sensibility so rarely seen nowadays. Spit It Out begins proceedings with gorgeous harmonies, tasteful guitar riffs, pops, clicks and even a theremin, and is one of the best upbeat album openers I've heard for a long while. This is how good pop sounds. From the Beatles-song-the-Beatles-never-wrote, Them And Me, to the smooth Crowded House-esque Flesh and Bone and the riff-tastic Get It Together, it's clear Benson wears his influences on his sleeve and despite playing almost every instrument on every track he never sounds self-indulgent or trite. Benson has a knack of drawing the listener in, always introducing a new theme or unexpected chord change that leaves you wondering if you've heard this song before. There's definitely a familiar feel to the songs, so one could easily dismiss this as an album of competent fillers. However, you'd be foolish to do so. Each song warrants closer inspection and with Tchad Blake behind the mixing desk, the instruments sound lush, warm and spatial. I highly encourage you to grab some good headphones and enjoy this album with a cup of tea, sitting in a bean bag dreaming of the perfect summer's day. Me, I'm going to grab my son, plonk him in front of the stereo and put on some Pixies.  |
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