I was apprehensive of the upcoming 4th album by Detroit's Brendan Benson, My Old, Familiar Friend, but I'm pleased to report it's a winner all round. Now residing in Nashville, Benson has been doing time of course in The Raconteurs. While the two CDs with Jack White and company were not without their charms, Benson's strengths truly shine on his solo albums. Thankfully, The Racs haven't dulled his power pop sensibilities.
Produced by Gil Norton (China Crisis, Echo & The Bunnymen, Pixies, Foo Fighters), My Old, Familiar Friend is a rousing, 11 track/40 minute summer record to be sure. Benson is wearing his musical influences on his sleeve more than ever, with shades of Todd Rundgren, Wings, 100% Fun-era Matthew Sweet and Motown throughout the record.
Even on first listen, tracks like A Whole Lot Better (so far, my pop single of this summer), Eyes On The Horizon (great chorus!), Gonowhere (complete with killer Wings synth lines) and Borrow stuck with this listener. Start to finish, this is energetic pop music that doesn't sacrifice melody, and that's a rare trick to pull off these days.
As someone who's followed his career since One Mississippi in 1996, it's a nice feeling knowing Benson, while still one of pop's best kept secrets, has the potential to reach more listeners than ever with this release. My Old, Familiar Friend is a welcome return!
-My Old, Familiar Friend is released August 18th, 2009 on ATO Records
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