Ben Kweller
On My Way
(ATO/RCA)
He’s the least talented of The Bens (preceded by Lee and Folds), but he’s not any less interesting. Draped over Kweller’s odd voice (sounding naturally strained from nights in large amphitheatres), On My Way is a catchy throwback to ’70s rock, but without any of the pretension and fuzzy vocals of the neverending rock revival. It’s mostly aching love songs—Kweller married last year, at 24—but a refreshing, uplifting hope underscores them all. Kweller is no Bright Eyes. And that’s OK.
—Tara Thorne
This article appears in Dec 6-12, 2007.