Live Tracks: Ben Kweller
August 27th, 2007 - by Eddie
On the digital only, EP release from Kweller, the 26-year-old artist strips down his music to the bare essentials and, for the first time in my life, I am completely enthralled with the Kweller.
I know Kweller fans. I’ve wasted my life listening to crap.
To be honest, I’ve just been a fair-weather sort of Kweller fan. I always enjoyed him, but his music never grabbed me by the balls and forced me to listen. But with “Ben Kweller Live and Solo at the Artists’ Den” (only available on iTunes), my balls have been grabbed.
Much of the credit should go to (((artists den))), the NYC-based organization “dedicated to music discovery through live performance.” This album was recorded on December 13, 2006 at Soho House, a private club in New York City.
Only seven tracks of the 20 Kweller went through are on the $3.99 EP, but, according to a press release, they “represent the best of the set list.”
This may be because the songs featured are ones Kweller rarely does live. As I said, the songs are stripped down and most feature just Kweller on the piano. This gives his songs more depth and meaning that, at least for me, didn’t translate with his eponymous 2006 LP.
If you like Kweller or have no idea who he is and simply like piano-based rock, then pick this up. It’s the best four dollars you’ll spend…unless you’re in Vegas.
“Penny on the Train Track”
“Nothing Happening”
“Until I Die”
“Family Tree”
“Lizzy”
“Thirteen”
“Run”
