Albums by this artist

Sha Sha (2002)

Ben Kweller

Sha Sha

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» TROY CARPENTER | CO-DIRECTOR

Ben Kweller Sha Sha ATO, 2002 RiYL: Brendan Benson, Of Montreal, Weezer, Ben Folds

Precocious 20-year-old popster Ben Kweller is, like most folk his age, a a youth of many interests. For his debut album Sha Sha, he seems to have approached music making like a guy who can't decide what his favorite genre is: the record is a jumble of cute songs in different styles that has its hits and misses, but earns its keep with a few well-placed melodies.

The childlike simplicity of the shuffling opener "How It Should Be (Sha Sha)" is instantly charming, and unfortunately, said charm pretty much has to last him most of the record, as he follows it up with the equally childlike Weezer tribute "Wasted & Ready." The album's other highlights include the plaintive piano ballad "In Other Words" and closer "Falling," both of which bring to mind the inventive comfort pop of a Brendan Benson, without seeming too much like dumb fun.

No doubt about it, Kweller is a talented young chap. He shows off his melodic and harmonic skills throughout the record, and his trio (John Kent on drums, Josh Lattanzi on bass, Kweller on singin', guitar, and piano) effortlessly creates a warm, lo-fi sound. The ivory-tickling on "In Other Words" is remiscent of a classic '70s, Carole King or Elton John-style composition, surprisingly affecting with the addition of violins and a cello into the mix.

But overall, one can't help but feeling Kweller's familiar influences are thrown around without enough attention to making his own mark. Sha Sha is a pleasant enough listen, and could provide a couple of tracks worthy of a mix tape, but it's not really groundbreaking. Let's hope Kweller sticks at it long enough to develop a distinctive voice with which to truly put his talents to good use.

TROY CARPENTER | Troy Carpenter founded NATN from a Chicago apartment during the ambitious winter of 1998 with co-conspirators Ben French and Jonathan Cohen. After a five-year stint in New York, he and wife Lourdes have recently relocated to Indianapolis, where he spends days listening to music and nights in the kitchen at Elements restaurant. Musical heroes: Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Super Furry Animals. What else makes life worth living: Sushi, Phucty, runs in the park, and the Atlanta Braves.