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Ben Kweller

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September 2002 Feature

Written by Vinnie Apicella

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9.0

out of 10

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Artist: Ben Kweller
Title: Sha Sha
Label: Alto Records

Ben Kweller hits it solo and crafts quirky music that seems to spill out of the mind of a slightly sarcastic, eccentric 20 year old. His solo debut, Sha Sha is a playful album that reminds you of a somewhat nerdy, but intelligent and feeling guy who went to high school with you and wrote cynical English papers twisting Hamlet into an even more complex soap opera. Kweller’s piano and guitar-laden songs reflect some deep observation and introspection masked in adolescent words and silly ‘bop bops’ and ‘do dos’. Ben Kweller is not the run of the mill hottie rock star with sell-out pop hits; his music gently drills its way into the brain in a Ben Folds and Weezer emo sort of way.

“Wasted and Ready” is the first released single of the record and its silly couplets are incredibly catchy. The song is almost sing-along fun although one may wonder how these lyrics make sense: “Sex reminds her of eating spaghetti/ I am wasted, but I’m ready, ” (he got it from a movie). Other tracks are more beautiful melodically such as “In Other Words”. Kweller’s soft voice is backed by piano and conveys emotional clarity. “Walk On Me” is an upbeat, melodic appeal to an ex with clever lyrics like, “Sometimes I wonder if you’re still here/ looking out for anything that could/ fall and hit your head. Fluorescent lights burn out in time dear/ We see the world in a different light.” “Family Tree” possesses a Beatle-esque guitar melodic line and harmonizing vocals. Another notable track is “Commerce, TX” with its rocking riffs, crescendos and a great working of harmony, melody and lyrical expertise. The most delicate, and loving of his ballads is “Lizzy”, about his girlfriend. The gentle guitar strumming and heartfelt lyrics make for one of those sugary songs played at night to make a girl cry. And it should. The pieces are calculatingly created in Kweller’s brain and seem to make a hasty appearance on whatever he can find to write the lyrics and music on; the juvenile expressions add to the sardonic tones of some pieces, while others are genuinely stated.

Some people will love Kweller and believe his pieces are a work of genius. The songs are good, and express the inner workings of Ben Kweller’s mind. However, some of the music lacks great hooks with the exception of a few tracks, and the silliness of some are a little flat. But that’s probably because Kweller is smart enough to not submit to selling out to more mainstream sounds and feels his wit is enough. And it is enough to like him just as he is.