Changing Horses

Ben Kweller is an all-around fantastic musician with a surprisingly large underground fanbase. He's multi-instrumentally talented, and on this and past records, he shows us his versatility in that area. His first album in 3 years, Changing Horses is an risky experiment for Kweller, transitioning from contemplative, mid-tempo piano pop to a country sound. I won't over-pun such a title with excessive remarks regarding Kweller's genre change on Changing Horses; although, it is easy to do. Anyhow, the switch has been made and the stage is set. All we need now are the results.Changing Horses starts warmly; a lengthy B note, followed by Kweller's convincing vocal slides and scoops. "Gypsy Rose," Kweller's opener, is a naturally successful track, utilizing traditionalistic country lyric phrases and solid, complementary rhythmic devices. The melody is sleepy, but sufficient, and is very pleasant.Kweller's vocal performance is respectably polished throughout Changing Horses; especially on mid-tempo, country ballad "Hurtin' You" and bittersweet love lament "Ballad of Wendy Baker." Not only is the way he sings refined, but what he sings is also impressive, focusing on poetic description and artistic originality. "Old Hat" exemplifies this mellifluously with lines such as "My tornado, love, tore it all down / Now I am face down in all this muddy guilt," while the slow but steady musical accommodations really drive the emotion home.Always considered a musician who focuses on his melodies, Kweller breaks all kind of melodic barriers on the record; first, by keeping his melodies retainable and enjoyable; second, by carefully crafting his hooks; and last, by dishing out countless surprises. "Gypsy Rose," "Sawdust Man," and "Fight" all exhibit strong, likable tunes, while "Wantin' Her Again" and "Things I Like To Do" disclose hook-based melodies (both additionally appealing). He then keeps it interesting with other clever creations, like the melody in "On Her Own."Changing Horses is meticulously consistent, seamlessly flowing between funky, mid-tempo tunes to gospelesque anthems to evocative, heartfelt offerings. "Homeward Bound" is a compelling end cap for the brief album, and is executed carefully, tying up any and all loose ends.The only complaint I hold against the record is its lack of personal proximity. In other words, it feels noticeably distant, especially compared to Kweller's other works. The songs themselves are substantial enough, though, to maintain a favourable outlook on the album as a whole. For this, I give Ben Kweller credit, where it is obviously due. Country music is his roots, and Changing Horses is a very wholesome homecoming in that sense.

Not my favorite Ben Kweller album. He wanted to write a cowboy type genre album for some reason which doesn't interest me like all his other songs do. Nevertheless it was interesting for me to hear how he went about writing in that genre. I'm glad he got it out of his system so he can go on and write the kinds of songs of his that I love so much. He's still my hero, a master of words. If you are into words then Ben is the man for you. Some people just listen to the tune but I'm more into the words, I happen to like poetry too. He's a good poet of song words.

I love this artist and it came packaged nicely and came very fast. Very happy with my purchase.

Wow! This album is a lot of fun and I am really enjoying listening to it. I think that the alt-country hat is a great hat for Ben Kweller to wear.Actually, come to think of it, "Changing Horses" has a Jeff Tweedy feel.I recommend giving it a listen.Enjoy!

Great lp very well done !Love the copy of the album on cd that is included,and the poster

Very good album. Different than his previous efforts. More country/bluegrass in nature but still singer songwriter...

I will keep it short and sweet; Ben Kweller would be the only artist I would buy a ticket to go and see right now

Favorite album, and it came very quickly!

Perfect.

Todo perfecto !!!!

4作目は告知のあった通りフォーク／カントリーアルバム。デビュー以来作品ごとにアーシーな部分を強めてきた感があるが今回で思いっきりルーツィに。ただ、Benらしいスィートなメロディは健在だし、ただ単にポスト・グランジの連中が思いついたかのように原点回帰の音楽をやるのとは一味違っていて、新たな世代の７０年代カントリーロックの解釈とか、英国ロックからいったん経由したルーツロック感とか、それにBenならではの膨大なポップセンスが交わっていて非常に聞きこめるアルバムに仕上がっていると思う。つまりはBen Kwellerだからこそ描けるカントリーでありBen Kwellerらしい意義のあるアルバム。おススメ！