Despite his own musical prowess and knack for fantastic songwriting, Benson has been relegated as little more than a supporting member of the Raconteurs, largely overlooked and lost in the wake of the star power of co-founder Jack White. In the face of this, Benson uses his new solo album, “My Old, Familiar Friend,” to not only remind listeners of his own talents, but to prove his relevancy. Singing on his new song “Misery,” Benson poignantly sums up his own unfortunate status as a musician: “Nobody’s listening.” Until now...
Free of the rather stifling constraints of The Raconteurs, Benson has crafted a terrific album of rock and power pop songs that stand as a testament to his own mastery of his craft. Handling vocals, guitars, bass, drums, and keys, Benson is a bona fide jack-of-all-trades, and the wide variety sounds present on the album prove it. At times reminiscent of The Cars, Elvis Costello, or even David Bowie, “My Old Familiar Friend” slides with ease from style to style, making it impossible to definitively label the album.
Loud, driven songs like “A Whole Lot Better” and “Poised and Ready” really get your blood pumping, making you want to stand up and sing along while the upbeat nature of songs like “Eyes On the Horizon” (a song dripping with Beatles-esque vocals, harmonies, and guitars) make it nearly impossible not to smile, relax, and feel at peace with the world. Though Benson keeps the tone of the album largely boisterous and fun, “My Old, Familiar Friend” contains a few slower songs, such as the acoustically-driven “You Make A Fool Out of Me” (complete with a moving string section). These tracks give the listener a bit of a breather before returning to songs such as “Don’t Wanna Talk,” a strikingly catchy tune that will stick in your head for weeks on end.
Despite Benson’s other three solo albums and two Raconteurs’ albums, “My Old, Familiar Friend” gives this artist his first strong shot at true recognition in his own right. The album provides something for everyone, a rare feat to have accomplished in an age when artists are making their marks by completely separating themselves from the pack and becoming more and more eccentrically distinct (and more secure in their own sounds). So while Benson may point out that “Nobody’s listening…” its time for us to open our ears and recognize him as a true force in music.
