Brendan Benson~

Have I neglected to mention how SIMPLY FANTASTIC Brendan Benson's new album is?  As it was released the same day as 'Blunderbuss', you'd think it would have taken me a minute to take notice.  But, I picked up my copy right around Record Store Day and it's currently rivaling Jack for play in my iPod.

I have to admit, I wasn't a huge 'Brendan solo' fan until SXSW this year.  I have always appreciated Brendan's talent and songwriting with the Raconteurs but he performed a solo show in Denver a bit over a year ago and I just was not impressed.  To be fair, I think he may have been battling some bad-scary-snowy-mountain-drive-down-from-Aspen-to-Denver-road-sickness that evening, and he was playing with the Posies and not his current awesome band line up (Mark Watrous, I'm looking in your direction), but he certainly wasn't at his best.  What's so funny, too, is that we scored some meet & greet passes from my friend & fellow raffle host, Luke, and in our picture with Brendan, he looks so ill you might think we were holding him hostage.

Poor guy.  Poor us.  However, he was so gracious as to sign my Raconteurs 'Live in London', and for that I am forever grateful.  You know, it only took a moment of his time to shed some kindness our way & I'll always appreciate it. 

So came SXSW... and Brendan & the boys totally changed my mind.  I'll admit it, I'm hooked.  In fact, I'm a bit surprised at my total about-face, I don't normally do that.
I've now stocked up on some of his back catalog, but I'd venture to say that, from start to finish, 'What Kind of World', represents one of his best pieces of work.  'Bad for Me' is quite simply one of the prettiest songs I've heard this year.  From the piano to the lyrics, it stands out as just a truly beautiful song.  And 'No One Else But You' you totally had me with the Hawiiann/John Denver intro, but to also throw in a big band horn section?  I'm sold.
I'd say the major stand out for me is 'Pretty Baby'.  The first time I heard it, the following things sprang to mind-- Texas, 'The Switch & the Spur', a saguaro cactus, 'Rome', dust, John Wayne, dead trees, biscuits & gravy, 'So Far From Your Weapon' and Quentin Tarantino...  pretty much in that order.  The accompanying video is a very literal interpretation of the song that I wasn't really expecting and in the future, when listening to it, I'll probably stick with the imagery I'd already developed in my head.  Nonetheless, I've been pretty 'wowed' by this song... but then I'm always a sucker for those cowboy/rocker/western songs.

In summary, consider me a new Street Team recruit.  I was an idiot to not see it before.  I will now look past his 'Raconteurs' status to the solo artist that lies within.  Better late to the party than never I suppose.  #TeamBrendan