BENJAMIN BOOKER

BENJAMIN BOOKER

2014-09-16

Featuring edgy punk-laden grooves with a blues howl that reveals why he was a natural fit for the opening slot on the current Jack White tour, twenty five year old Benjamin Booker's self-titled debut is a high energy delight from beginning to end. Produced by Andrija Tokic (Alabama Shakes, Hurray for the Riff Raff) the disc shares the dynamics and soulful energy that made recent releases by those bands so successful. Like Barrence Whitfield (The Savages) he often shouts as much as sings the lyrics, which is only natural given the primal fury of the music which makes anything else a futile gesture. When he does actually sing his voice recalls a raw Trevor Hall. Booker mixes things up a bit on "Spoon Out My Eyeballs" where alternates between quiet, almost tender, moments and a full on rock blast on the chorus while "I Thought I Heard You Screaming" is a full on ballad. Lyrically he bounces between railing against overproduced records, "Spoon Out My Eyeballs", wanting his lady to set religion on the shelf in favor of his advances, "Always Waiting", and a heart-wrenching tale of a little girl who is shot while tying her shoes, "Slow Coming". Expect to hear plenty more from Benjamin Booker. Smitty

More reviews tagged #Blues

  • reviewed 02/2012

    Big James and the Chicago Playboys
    The Big Payback

  • reviewed 06/2008

    THE JOE MOSS BAND
    Maricela's Smile

  • reviewed 04/2016

    COMPILATIONS
    Blues For Big Walter

  • reviewed 08/2012

    VOKEL STRIFLER
    Let The Music Rise

  • reviewed 10/2008

    VARIOUS ARTISTS
    – Les Paul and Friends: A Tribute to a Legend

  • reviewed 01/2012

    THE RUSTY WRIGHT BAND
    Live Fire

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.