Houston Calling

Review: Benjamin Wesley, Think/Thoughts + win tickets to release show

April 4th, 2012 · 1 Comment

Benjamin Wesley
Think/Thoughts
Self-released/The Convoy Group

With Geschichte, Benjamin Wesley’s debut solo release, the Houston-based musician introduced himself as dark and talented, with songs that did ample justice to his wild and impressive one-man-band-style live performances. On his latest album, Wesley thankfully doesn’t stray far from the inventive songwriting that’s made him one of Houston’s most unique artists. The songs on Think/Thoughts are often sad, sometimes playful, and still bristle with hope.

Highlights include “Aliens” and “Catch My Shadow,” two songs that show Wesley’s signature sound–subtly crafted beats and melodic synths make up the bulk of Think/Thoughts‘ musical framework, along with meandering guitar and the occasional distorted scream. However, “Temper,” “Great Moments In Life,” and “I Take It Back” are where Wesley lays himself bare for the listener. Lyrics such as “The semen I came from from Vietnam / And then that soldier had some babies, shot himself in the head… / No time for sad stories / Truth and spit and rape and grit / and brutal and spooky, gut-wrenching evil shit… / It’s hard to trust another person…” (from “Temper”) are uncomfortable at first, but instead of coming off as overly dramatic–as they could easily do in less capable hands–they instead show a rare depth and style of songwriting that some may not have expected from the musician.

It’s these deeply personal and reflective lyrics and uncompromising style that help make Think/Thoughts a standout. By the time Wesley declares “I’m so awesome, tell everybody you know” (on the poppy “I’m So Awesome”), there’s no denying he’s right.

Think/Thoughts is available digitally via Bandcamp and in Houston at Sig’s Lagoon and Cactus Music.

As you may have recently read on Houston Calling, Wesley plays his album release show upstairs at Fitzgerald’s this Friday night (Good Friday, 4.6.12). Please email me at [dacobbatgmaildotcom] for a chance to win free tickets to the show. I will pick a winner at random for two free tickets to the show.

More information on Benjamin Wesley may be found at www.benjaminwesley.net. For a great video from Geschichte, visit 29-95.com.

The Convoy Group is throwing a listening party tomorrow night (Thursday, 4.5.12) from 8-10pm at  Double Trouble Caffeine & Cocktail (3622 Main St.). Sig’s Lagoon will be selling Think/Thoughts for $10 and will be open until 10pm. The first 25 albums purchased from Sig’s also get a ticket to the album release party at Fitz’s.

Tags: Miscellaneous · Music · Reviews · Show listings

1 response so far ↓

  • 1 Jeremy // Apr 5, 2012 at 9:15 am

    Nicely done, sir. And you’re dead on w/”Temper,” in particular — if you just read the lyrics, they’re downright horrifying, but when they’re part of the song, they’re awesome and heartfelt.

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