Texas- born and raised Ben Kweller is back after 3 long years with his 5th studio album entitled Go Fly a Kite. The album is due to drop on February 7th and I highly recommend that you pick it up. Currently a pre order is available with a handful of different options.
This album has been a long time in the making. After dealing with a label dispute, Ben formed his own, The Noise Company, and released the album himself. His last album, Changing Horses, was filled with country and folk soul that was an obvious homage to the music he was raised on out in Greenville, Texas. Go Fly a Kite is a different kind of homage; this time more to band like The Beatles, The Who, and The Kinks, but just a bit more polished.
It is filled to the brim with vibrant electric guitars and vocals. Ben's trademark sound is still there though, driving piano riffs and all, and the country vibe from Horses can be heard through out the album, specifically on tracks like Gossip, Full Circle, and Out the Door. Despite all the different sounds, Ben achieves the fluidity that fans have become accustomed to and expect.
The album opens with “Free” and is full of the 70’s rock that pervades so many of the tracks. The song tackles the ideals of living a care-free life and “lady luck” being for or against you. This is a more serious theme than what is found in Kweller’s most recent album and the darker topics continue through the tracks.
I heard “Full Circle” for the first time at The Mohawk in August of 2009 and fell in love, so naturally this is my personal favorite from the record. There is something so Kweller-y about it. Maybe it’s the vocals, or the piano, or both. I am not really sure but I have already played this track on repeat far too many times to consider normal. The song presents the idea of life coming around, changing, and making a new person. It is a topic everyone can appreciate and understand; that might be what makes me belt it out at the top of my lungs when I am alone in my car.
“Jealous Girl” has already been receiving radio time across Texas at least, possibly the nation if anyone can confirm. I was a little surprised that this is the released track, but it fits in well on Austin’s KUT and is receiving positive reactions. The song is definitely growing on this listener.
“Time Will Save the Day” is the second to last track and probably is the most upbeat and rockin’ of the album. Ben’s vocals give a tip o’ the cap to Weezer, no surprise there. The song sounds a lot like something one might have heard in the Sha Sha days, and there should be no complaining about that.
All in all, two thumbs up to Ben and The Noise Company for finally getting this album out. Ben will be touring through out the spring, check his website for details. Be sure to pre-order this album while you can; you’ll want it in your hands the day it comes out.
Comments