Benjamin Wesley
Geschichte
Self-released

The multi-instrumentalist behind some of Houston’s best-known underground bands, Wesley is no stranger to creating unique, original music. On his solo debut, the musician creates a wildly inventive set of songs that implements beats with acoustic guitar, keyboards, and other instruments–all by his lonesome, and often all at once. Musically, Wesley does his best to capture the essence of his live sets (for those who have seen his performances, you know; for those who haven’t, check Vimeo). However, what separates Geschichte from the live experience is his lyrics–it’s much easier to focus on what he’s singing about when you’re not standing in awe of what’s happening onstage.

“Have You Ever Died?,” a strangely tribal, danceable romp that ends in a singalong, and “Beat Bloody Battles Axes”–two of Geschichte‘s highlights–both display Wesley’s talent as musician and astute lyricist (“Some dreams make me wail with love and creatures scale my skin”). However, nowhere is this more evident than on “Geschichte,” on which he sings: “And the bombs they go off in the distance / From all around and you hear the sound / And you’re hiding under an overpass and you take my hand to higher ground / From up above the concrete crumbles and we both get crushed or swallowed up / And when you awoke and you were still alive you greeted time with a smile.” It’s this combination of apocalyptic heartbreak and hopefulness, along with Wesley’s musicianship, that makes Geschichte–and Benjamin Wesley–one of a kind.

Advance warning: Benjamin Wesley plays an in-store performance at Cactus Music on Saturday, 7.11.09, at 3pm. Mark your calendars.

Check back soon for an interview with Wesley.