Ben Rogers
Album: Lost Stories: Volume One
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 10
Website: http://benrogersmusic.tumblr.com/music

Usually when listening to artists, most of them (like Ben Rogers has done) sing about relationships or about a major event that effected their lives. But when doing so, it is all generic and does not go into finer detail. However Ben Rogers has, he has been described has having a voice like smoke damaged velvet soaked in Tennessee whiskey.

Not sure about all the whiskey part but the damaged is certainly correct as from listening to his songs it sounds like he has had a really damaged experience. Whether that being from his own or somebody else's, this is a slightly dark and depressing album. That is contrasted by some chirpy numbers, such as The Dealer and Kingdom Come when you hear it the story is a very serious one but because the melody and tone of the song is quite happy and catchy you completely forget the meaning to the song. Not sure if this is Rogers intention- hence the album title of Lost Stories but it is nice to have some sort of positive outlet when listening to his album, so as a listener we don't feel like curling up into the foetal position and crying into a knees.

Roger is not the typical American folk artist, coming from Canada he manages to capture that sort of American West, traditional folk music feel in his album. Especially Cowboys and Indians, telling a story of a game he once played when he was young and how that relates to the real history facts. Anyone studying history out there of the American West needs to listen to this song.

Most of Rogers's songs are dark but that suits his tone of voice, it is very humbling and perhaps sounds older than he actually is. Maybe not a piece of music I would listen to on a regular basis but it is great to appreciate the traditional and raw album of Lost Stories

Gemma Hirst