Corporate Line: GIVE IT ALL AWAY is an album that makes creative use of unconventional elements. Banjo, strings, and Celtic sounds are laced throughout the album in a way that combines authentic, traditional sounds with rock riffs and popular sensibilities. Each cut reveals more about this new artist. “Come On,” chronicles the ups and downs of a long-distance relationship, “Slow Down,” recalls the innocence of childhood, and “Stay” is the heart-racing happiness at the beginning of a new love.
The Good:
“Come On” – A gorgeous pop song with a lush orchestration given life by the tender voice of Jelen.
The Average:
“She’ll Hear You” and “Rocks” – Sensitive and tender–not as gorgeous as Jelen can get.
“Give It All Away” – Jelen is on track but never gets up to speed. It’s as if you can see the brilliance on the horizon and he’s trying to get there.
“Every Step” – Pretty, but very uninteresting.
“Falling Down” – Jelen’s style takes on a real air of monotonous.
“Slow Down” – As if Jelen needed to slow down–a familiar melody to a Tracy Chapman song.
The Ugly:
Nada.
Frankly: Ben Jelen has a pretty voice with a calming effect. The biggest problem with Give It All Away is how monotonous the record is. Halfway through the album you start to wonder if you haven’t heard each song a few times before. It really begins to weigh on you and you wonder when it might end.
+ Rae Gun
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