Ben Watt – Hendra/Fever Dream

Ben Watt – Hendra/Fever Dream

By

Jesse E. Mullen

Both Fever Dream and Hendra are excellent, mature albums by an artist who I was not previously familiar with - I discovered Ben Watt byway of his association with Bernard Butler, a perennial favorite of mine. But I am so glad that I did. The rich tones of his voice, combined with Butler's tastefully tight, jazz rock-inspired guitar work make for a compelling listen. But it's also the content of his lyrics that make both albums such compelling listens. While I have not yet lived into my 50s - I'm just barely 23 - the wry observations of life at that age, along with chilling acknowledgements of mortality, keep the deep listener on their toes. While I prefer Fever Dream by a hair, Hendra is also wonderful. (And worth the price for "Young Man's Game" and "Golden Ratio" alone, I might add.)

Caroline/2014/2016

Chuck Prophet – No Other Love

Chuck Prophet – No Other Love

By

Jesse E. Mullen

One of the greatest of the early 2000s. Like Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, it finds the artist in question pushing the boundaries of their usual Americana/Folk/Alt. Country/Rock sound with field recordings, found sounds, tape loops, electronic beats, and various keyboard instruments. But all of this would be window dressing if Chuck didn't come up with the excellent set of songs that he did. The performances by the studio band are uniformly excellent, and Prophet’s guitar playing is as awe-inspiring as ever. Highly recommended.

New West/2002

Mark Mulcahy – In Pursuit of Your Happiness

Mark Mulcahy – In Pursuit of Your Happiness

By

Jesse E. Mullen

My favorite of Mark's solo albums. (And second favorite of all his albums - to the Polaris album.) "Cookie Jar," and "I Have Patience" are the melodic indie Mulcahy is known for at its best. Closer "He Vanished" however, is a totally different animal altogether. A slow waltz with lyrics in tribute to a fallen friend delivered in a Lou Reed speak-sing, it is my favorite Mark Mulcahy song, and one of my favorite of the 2000s. If you only buy one album by Mark, let it be this one. But you'll want more than just this.

Mezzotint/2005