Benjy Ferree - Leaving The Nest (Domino)
4/5
By: Charlie Potter
Upon first encountering it, 'Leaving The Nest' is just sickeningly cute. It sounds like sixties pop music, but not in a good way. Not even in a trendy way. Just in a bit of an irritating way. His voice throughout it maintains a thoroughly irksome, twanging arrogance, like a really self conscious version of Jack White. Indeed, there are more comparisons to be drawn with the White Stripes, many of which end in the conclusion that the Stripes are better at what they do. The other thing that grates about this album is the overuse of screeching violins, or more accurately a lone screeching violin without the chorus of other strings to soften the blow. It's certainly an acquired taste.
I'm sure to a practiced violinist, or any folk fan, these sounds are far from screeching and in fact could be soothing to the ear. And indeed, this album does have a folk undercurrent to it. But, and I hope you're still listening, if you can get over all that, and it's a lot to ask I know, then you'll come to love this album as I have. Over time that sickening cuteness is replaced in your head by a genuine and good natured feel, and the arrogance in his voice begins to sound some what deserved, if not wholly necessary to tell the stories he wishes to tell. As for the violins, they're responsible for some genuinely tear jerking arrangements. The trick is to push the violins to the back of the sound, knowing that they are the most important part, and imagine the vocals, the piano and the guitar are floating over the top of them, riding them like a thick powerful ocean - an ocean of tears, possibly? Possibly not, but an ocean none the less.
Not only are all the afore mentioned crimes forgivable, but in 'Leaving The Nest, Benjy has made a really nicely diverse album. The songs slowly and effortlessly move from one sound to another, not only from song to song but within the songs themselves without you even noticing, particularly in the title track. Here we hear a low down, Queens of the Stone Age gone acoustic style grunt merge into a floating anthemic choral chant, the album then swiftly moving from this into 'Hollywood Sign' an upbeat song that has a strong, curious taste of Larrikin Love.
Not only is this album diverse but it's also dynamic. Put simply it's got some fast songs and some slow ones - not as easy as it sounds, we'll have you know. And no, they're not just there for the sake of it - Benjy Ferree is clearly a fan of diversity and someone who is not afraid to join the fun of trying some stuff out. What with all these comparisons being made it seems important to point out that there aren't really any other albums that sound quite like this.
Benjy's a good lad with a respectable album, one which a heck of a lot of work has gone in to, and we like that. We like that it's dense but not difficult. Well done, Benjy. I hope you do a good live show.
Artists in this article: Benjy Ferree
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