Crazy Horse, Velvet Underground, T Rex, Modern Lovers, Ramones, Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Woody Guthrie, Bill Withers, Bob Dylan, Carol King, Shel Silversien, John Lennon, George Harrison, Billy Bragg, Robyn Hitchcock,
Chrissie Hynde, Breaking up with a Girlfriend, Hanging out in New York City bars, Getting together with a new girlfriend, Life in New York City, The Subway, The Atlantic Ocean.
Big, swinging drums with a slap that might remind you of Damn The Torpedoes, groovy bass, guitar (probably Telecaster) mixed with that heartland twang, super tremelo on the downbeats of "Amelia", roller-rink Hammond on "No One", twinkly Buckingham-"Gypsy" lead on "Angela", something that sounds like the "You Got Lucky" synth on "Leave Me Be", but which might be a treated guitar. Benjamin almost never strums his six-string in big sheets; he strikes it like a rhythm instrument, and keeps it out of the way of the vocals.
THE SINGER: He has the capacity to croon like a troubadour, and he takes it. "Amelia" is probably the most winsome performance here, but much of "Angela" is lovely, too. He can sound tough when he wants to. That isn't often.
THE SONGS: There are those who don't think we need any more Tom Petty songs. Then there are people like me, for whom too many Tom Petty songs are never enough. The Cartel's resemblance to the Heartbreakers have been pointed out for years, but I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that Cartel as he improves, seems to be writing more like Petty. Relative minors, folk-rock progressions, singalong choruses, general Byrdsiness, you get it all here. Slot any of these songs into Hard Promises, and they'd fit in seamlessly. You might not think that's high praise. I do.
WHAT DIFFERENTIATES THIS BAND FROM OTHERS IN IT'S GENRE:
Benjamin is more literary than his peers. But he never hits you over the head with it -- it's just there, right under the surface, if you want to engage with it. And if you don't, Benjamin has no problem with your uncomplicated desire to rock along.
And Benjamin's own proletarian but sympathetic folkster vocals.
What's not to like?
-JERSEY INDEPENDENT MUSIC
Great to meet you too and hang out in Austin...wish I could have made it to your show with Courtney at the Hotel but I had a show that night too...hope it was fun...:) Hope to see you guys again soon!
Dear Cartel and my lovely friend Krishna--when are you playing out in the city--weeknight--and soon? Hope all is well--remember us little people and keep in touch!
Hey We just got the new CD out and on my profile page and CD Baby. We are now booking shows. Please let us know if you have any suggestions of some good places to play in your area
As per your headline, I shall tell you what I want, what I really really want: For you guys to come visit me! I miss all of you. I don't know which of you runs the myspace, but you're in charge of telling the others.
To my friends, fans, and fellow artists, I wanted to let you know that my top friend, Alexa Ray Joel, will be performing tomorrow night, Thursday, May 10th, on Jimmy Kimmel live on ABC. This is Alexa's first live national performance. She's been on the road playing small venues for a year and a half. I thought you would all like to know about this opportunity to see her perform and I hope you don't mind my using a comment to tell you about it.
Thanks for a great time at Banjo Jim's and in Brooklyn. I have been craving an H&A omelette ever since. Hopefully we'll see you in Boston in May - bring Ivan.
hey benjamin!
thanks so much for the add request.
i love that shel silverstein is on your list of influences. classic.
hope to catch you around brooklyn soon.
xo,
shanna zell
Please stop by and listen to my new song dedicated to one of my musical heroes, BJ Thomas. If you like it, add him, comment him, buy his CD, and support him. He gave us 40 years of his voice and a huge part of the soundtrack to my life.
