THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2003
MUSIC
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 13
Review
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12
Lapalco by Brendan Benson
Reviewed by Aaron Passman apassman@kansan.com
Nearly every musician today, in one way or another, imitates the Beatles, most of them poorly. In the track "Folk Singer" on Lapalco, Brendan Benson sings "She said pretendin'—you're not John Nelson."
True, he's not, but Benson sure is trying hard to be.
On this second album, singer-songwriter Benson seems to have taken most of his influence from the old school of quality rock n' roll, with flavors of artists like The Beatles (and Lennon & McCartney's post-Beatles work), Elton John, Peter Frampton and ELO filling out the record. Benson (with a bit of help from cohort and band mate Jason Falkner) wrote and performed all 12 songs on the album, and his power-pop/rock sound is largely based around guitars and keys (both piano and synth).
The album opens on a strong note with "Tiny Spark," based around a simple vocal melody and guitar/piano chord progression, before moving on to the slower,
acoustic- based "Metarie," reminiscent of "Rubber Soul" era Beatles.
Most of the record is made up of driving power-pop, especially
Contributed art
songs like "You're Quiet" and "Folk Singer," but Benson slows it down toward the end of the record with songs like the acoustic "Pleasure Seeker" and the keyboard-based "Jet Lag," which closes out the album. All throughout, the songs are catchy and intelligent, and I'll be damned if I can't get most of them out of my head.
Despite the occasional cliched lyric and a few songs midway through that don't quite measure up to the rest, Lapalco proves a singer-songwriter doesn't have to write trite, derivative, repetitive songs (like two far more popular and vastly inferior fellows named John Mayer and Jack Johnson). It took Benson six years before he finally released a second album—here's hoping the wait isn't so long for the next one.
(Benson will perform as the supporting act for kindred spirit Ben Kweller on Feb. 6 at The Bottleneck)
Chris compulsively procrastinates.
But you wouldn't know that.
He shopped at Jayhawk Bookstore and instead of waiting days for the textbooks he would have ordered online, he got done in 10 minutes. Jayhawk Bookstore. Come in. Shop.Get on with life.
Jayhawk At the top of Naismith Hill Bookstore 1420 Crescent Road 843-3826
www.jayhawkbookstore.com
1. ___
Set your hand on a smooth flat surface.
2. ___
Lift index finger as far as it will allow. Wait 5 seconds.
3.
Take the other hand and stretch the finger.
4.
Pull back until there is a slight strain. Repeat all four steps Do 5 reps or until the finger is comfortable enough to handle extraneous activities on the computer mouse.
**Warning: When performing any strenuous activities it is important that you consult a doctor especially if you have a heart condition or if you are pregnant. If you feel tired, dizzy,faint,or otherwise,contact your physician immediately.
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