BRENDAN BENSON> My Old, Familiar Friend

Updated:

September 23, 2009 9:14 am

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Jack White knows a good thing when he hears it. When he plucked Brendan Benson from near obscurity to join him in fronting The Raconteurs, he also helped resuscitate Benson’s floundering career.

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BRENDAN BENSON

My Old, Familiar Friend

(ATO)

[Rating: 4 stars]

Jack White knows a good thing when he hears it. When he plucked Brendan Benson from near obscurity to join him in fronting The Raconteurs, he also helped resuscitate Benson’s floundering career. This Gil Norton-produced gem finds the pop rocker revived and rejuvenated on his fourth solo release. The 11 songs crackle with the sharply written and sung pop/soul Todd Rundgren used to sling out so effortlessly, mixing ‘60s radio-ready choruses and 1980s style with contemporary energy. Songs such as “Lessons Learned” and the shimmering Philly International-inspired strings of “Garbage Day” borrow from the Wings playbook in their concise structures and sheer musicality. Benson keeps most tunes under four minutes and Norton polishes up the edges, leaving the singer/songwriter’s endearing voice and joyful, scrappy hooks intact. The result is a melodically rich near-classic that deserves to be heard by the larger audience White’s association will hopefully ensure.