IN REVIEW: Benjamin Booker - S/T

So maybe I'd be showing my age by referring to Benjamin Booker as a "youngster"; still, the tender age of 22 is much younger than you'd be likely to peg him for after listening to his self titled debut album. To be sure, Booker's talent is raw, but it's not so far removed from what a guy like Jack White built a career upon (to wit, Booker's been opening for White on his recent tour dates). What's most impressive about this record is the many textures and feelings Booker pulls off with relative ease; from the triumphant, Chuck Berry-like bombast of opener Violent Shiver to the early Kings of Leon rough-and-tumble soul of Always Waiting to the White-like fuzzed out stomp of Chippewa to the slow-burning blues of Slow Coming to the evangelistic manic energy of Wicked Waters, Booker makes it all work in his favour, and all within the first fifteen minutes or so.

As good as the album starts off, the undisputed album highlight is Have You Seen My Son, with its rolling toms, slashing guitars and ragged groove. This thing jumps from the speakers, the music rising to a wild din as Booker howls, screams and moans his way through it. Not content to simply end, it launches itself into a big rock ending the likes of which virtually guarantee the song as Benjamin Booker's set closer for every show he'll ever do.

The album has no choice but to take a rest at this point, and so Have You Seen My Son is followed by Spoon Out My Eyeballs, which starts out as the album's softest song. Booker's rough voice can't carry this one through the verses, and is the first sign of inexperience the record has to offer. It's made up for with a glorious and strange chorus, though, rescuing the song from forgettable status before the tempo ratchets up in the final minute. Its abrupt fade out cuts off the thrill, though, and I can't help but think this one will benefit from some future refinement in the live setting. On record, it's kind of a miss.

Fortunately, it's the only song that doesn't really work; the record closes out with the jangly bliss of Happy Homes, the vulnerable, heartbroken I Thought I Heard You Screaming, fiery garage rocker Old Hearts, the widescreen blues epic Kids Never Grow Older and the reflective, acoustic-led closer By The Evening. All five are winners, making the B-side almost as good as its incredibly good A-side.

Overall, the album lacks polish, though not necessarily to its detriment; Booker's raw talent shines through the muck, and some rough edges are to be expected on a debut. In that respect, I liken this record to Youth & Young Manhood, the ragged, majestic debut album by Kings of Leon. They would go on to make better records and become one of the world's biggest bands (and, inevitably, draw hate from "fans" for using better production techniques). I'm not saying Benjamin Booker will smash the mainstream and sell out stadium tours any time soon, but his debut LP is a confident, capable and surprising record that points to an exciting future.

August 19, 2014 • ATO

Highlights Violent Shiver • Have You Seen My Son • Kids Never Grow Older