The title of Ben Kweller’s new album, Changing Horses, says it all. He flips the script on his usual rock output and goes full on country, rhythm, and blues. Initially I was like, “WTF Ben?!”, but luckily I’m patient man. I gave it a chance…and was rewarded for it. Kweller continues his knack for brewing timeless lyrics that could be spun by Cash, Young, or Croce (all being quite a stretch but you get where I’m going). There’s just a slide guitar behind him instead of the fuzzed distortion. Actually hearing this side of Kweller made me realize how much of an influence this genre has had over his song writing. Go back and listen to his past catalog and you’ll hear some references to classic country and blues swimming through it.
mp3: Ben Kweller – Sawdust Man
mp3: Ben Kweller – Old Hat
I do still long for the rock Ben. Keep that in mind for the next one.
So the weekend is finally almost upon us and the concert gods have given us a lot to be thankful for. Tonight in Baltimore the Talking Head has the Expontentials, The Izzy’s, and The Jagged Hearts while the trip hoppers Thievery Corporation play Rams Head Live. Down in DC the Rock and Roll Hotel has a good one with Tapes ‘n Tapes, Wild Light, and The Subjects. Also in DC are the Howlies, Tiger and the Snow, and Excuses (ex Len Bias) who play the Velvet Lounge and the funk master himself George Clinton who plays the 9:30 Club. Philly has some sweet ones as well with Deer Tick and Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit at World Cafe Live and Ben Kweller and The Watson Twins at the Fillmore at the TLA. Enjoy!
mp3: Wild Light – California On My Mind
mp3: The Izzy’s – The Madman Sleeps
mp3: Tapes ‘N Tapes – Cowbell
mp3: Deer Tick -Long Time
mp3: Ben Kweller – No Reason
Tonight in Baltimore the place to be is the Ottobar who has Matt & Kim, Hollywood Holt, and Sick Weapons. Be there. If you’re down south in DC you have a few options for shows. Ben Kweller, The Watson Twins, and Jones St. Station are at the 9:30 Club while …And You Will Know Us by the Trail Of Dead, Funeral Party, and Midnight Masses will take on the Rock and Roll Hotel. Also in DC is the fantastic line up of Tokyo Police Club, Born Ruffians, and Harlem Shakes at the Black Cat – amazing! Over the hills in Fredericksburg, Virginia don’t miss a great show at the Third Floor with Pomegranates. Finally up north in Philly The Dig, Dave Smallen, The Defog, True Womanhood, and Farewell Republic play the Khyber and The Swirlies, Arc In Round, and Gregory & The Hawk play Johnny Brenda’s. Enjoy!
mp3: Tokyo Police Club – Juno
mp3: Nancy – Keep Cooler (Born Ruffians Remix)
mp3: Midnight Masses – Heaven
mp3: Matt & Kim – Dash After Dash
mp3: Harlem Shakes – Old Flame
mp3: Ben Kweller – Sawdust Man
mp3: Funeral Party – Carwars
One of my favorites from Austin, Ben Kweller just announced a fall tour of intimate venues where he’ll be previewing many of the new songs featured on Changing Horses which is due out January 2009 (ATO Records). Check the dates after the jump.
mp3: Ben Kweller and Albert Hammond Jr. – Wait
Continue reading ‘Ben Kweller Announces Tour/Album Release’
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