A couple days ago I came across a copy of musician Brendan Benson's newest CD, My Old, Familiar Friend. For those of you who have never heard of Benson, he was one-fourth of Jack White's first superband The Raconteurs. This is Benson's fourth solo disc, but his first since White's band was put on hold for yet another side project.
Whereas in The Raconteurs, Benson played a bluesy, southern rock, here he returns to his grander, more indie-rock roots infused with a tinge of country. On the CD's opener, "Eyes on the Horizon" Benson sets the tone for the whole album. His cheerful, fast paced, and breezy voice keeps the album moving along at a brisk, but never too quick pace. His songs range from edgy ("A Whole Lot Better") to ironic (the most memorable song on the whole album, "Don't Wanna Talk"). Such talent may overwhelm the average listener, but it’s enough to entice one to give the record another few listens because of it’s endless charm.
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