MCTBen Kweller has been a staple of college radio for years now.
His newest album gives a considerable change from the indie-pop that Kweller has relied on since his first solo album back in 2003.
“Changing Horses,” Kweller’s fourth solo disc, is a country-rock record that is much different than his previous albums.
The album was released on Feb. 3 in the U.S. and has garnered favorable reviews; Pitchfork has given it 5.3 out of 10 and has been successful on the Billboard charts.
The album features his rhythm section, Chris Morrissey on bass and Mark Stepro behind the drums.
It also debuts the talents of Kitt Kitterman who plays pedal steel guitar and Dobro.
Kweller’s country taste can be heard throughout the record but at times he can be too overt with his new inspired tastes.
On “Fight,” Kweller sings to a long-haul trucker that “you’ve got to set your sight on the Lord in your life.”
The problem being it is very hard to believe him.
On the positive side, Kweller finds the right combination of country and indie-pop on songs such as “Hurtin’ You,” “Ballad of Wendy Baker” and “Things I Like to Do.”
These songs find Kweller in the perfect center of the ’60s influenced pop of his earlier records and the alternative-country that is sprinkled all over this record.
Ever since Kweller signed with ATO Records as a solo artist in 2001, he has been able to rely on a successful mix of piano and guitar with a strong rhythm section that hold his albums together.
Kweller’s strength has always been to write a pop song and on this album he continues to do the same, only this time with a country twang.
It is a good move for Kweller as he takes influences from Bob Dylan, The Band and Gram Parsons.
These influences allow him to delve in the country world but still come out as an indie-pop genius.
The album title fits perfectly for Kweller’s latest release as it seems every good indie songwriter these days has to try their hand in the classic country that was so popular in the ’50s and early ’60s.
Kweller joins the likes of Jenny Lewis, Dr. Dog and M. Ward all of whom have written songs that follow in the alt-country sound. “Changing Horses” shows how Kweller has matured in his song writing and taken influences in life.
Six years ago he was a piano playing pop singer, now his records feature multi-layered tracks that have different sounds every which way you look.
Kweller has found his place in the indie world because of strong pop sensibilities but as the album title suggests it was time for a change.
His latest album was the right move for this indie star because it allows for other direction in his career and the ability to throw his winning combination aside seeing just how much he has improved over his career.
To listen to any of Kweller’s albums or learn more about the artist, go to myspace.com/benkweller or his own Web site benkweller.com.
His music is also available for download on iTunes.
