music

Ben Kweller

Changing Horses

Now that the rush to join the country club has apparently extended from mainstream pop and rock to an indie-rocker like Ben Kweller, country’s core fan base can be forgiven for wondering just how many more outsiders are going to join the hoedown. Is it time to close the barn door? 
Maybe, but Ben’s unforced way with a twang on Changing Horses proves he isn’t kidding when he cites Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson as major influences. Horses is stylistically more 1970s California country-rock than 1990s Nashville contemporary country, but the unpretentious point of view in songs like “Things I Like to Do” would not be out of place on a Garth or Alan album.

• February 9, 2009
• by Chris Neal