Ben Taylor
Album: Listening
Label: Iris
Tracks: 11
Website: http://www.bentaylormusic.com

Ben Taylor's new album is a collection of laid back, soul soothing songs that make you feel relaxed. Even a love song like Giulia doesn't come across as a passionate emotional statement but rather as a an accidental confession casually expressed. That's charming. Taylor's soulful voice is part of that charme. He mixes elements of Reggae (You could be mine), Rock (Shade or Shine), even Funk (Oh Brother), Not Alone (Pop). That adds a musical diversity to the album which is nice.

The most remarkable song of the album to me is Oh Brother. There is something very personal about it. Its lyrics are encouraging and express a clear message: Keep going and be yourself. No man is a hero everyday, even a champion looses a day before the race it says. The funky rhythm underlines the cheerful and uplifting character in the song. It leaves us with the appeal to shine on.

Still the album leaves me with the impression that Ben Taylor holds back some of his talent and doesn't use his full potential. The sound of the album is too clean for my taste, too perfect. Instead of aiming for full perfection he would be even better if he let himself go more and risks doing things that could go wrong.

Dagmar Brudnitzki