the extended jokes of steve pee poo and how he continues not to understand how to use this site.

When Ben Morey’s last album, Panacea (or) “The Sheep on The Telephone Wire”, the last EP contributing to his Wallpaper Series, came out, I made the claim that it was at the time his best. I still believe I correctly identified that album as a turning point in his songwriting ability.   

This week Ben’s new album, Never Never, became available for streaming to the public on the internets and I can safely say, Never Never blows Panacea out of the water. While I would still say that his songwriting has improved on the album, the album trumps his past work for three reasons.

First and foremost, Never Never is Ben’s best album because he has surrounded himself with a number of extremely talented musicians. This change has been followed by a series of band name changes – Benjamin James Morey became Ben Morey and the Wallpaper Singers became the Wallpaper Singers. And every one of the Wallpaper Singers adds his or her own special something to what becomes an incredible full-band sound.  Two non-Ben members of the Singers particularly stand out. First, Hannah Corey shines on every track her vocals are featured on.  Listen to “Half Note” (perhaps my favorite song on the album) and hear guy/girl vocals at their very best. Second, Quinton Saxby’s trumpet quickly becomes a track highlight whenever it appears. Listening to “Born There” will have anyone who has ever heard and enjoyed In The Aeroplane Over The Sea fall in love with Saxby and his contribution to the song.

Second, Ben’s talents as a recorder/producer have seen great improvement. Comparing Never Never with Ben’s previous albums would have made a recent online argument over whether or not well-produced music has it’s place in rock and roll and easy one. Although I like lo-fi music as much as (really, though, better than) the next girl, I also know that an album featuring such an array of talented musicians loses it’s collective energy and can sound weak/sloppy if the artists didn’t have a talented producer to put the sounds together the right way. Ben doesn’t let this happen – his talents have improved along with the new energy he has focused on recording and producing the perfect album. This is not to say Never Never is an over-produced album — listening to “Stepdad Rock” will set aside any fears of that.  This song demonstrates how lo-fi can still be perfectly produced (just listen to the Modern Lovers-esque synth solo at the two-minute mark! Wow!)

Finally, the album is an improvement due to Ben’s eagnerness to pick up an electric guitar. Acoustic guitars have their place in rock and roll, but nothing beats the sound of a plugged-in axe played by someone who knows how to use it who isn’t Steve Vai. Ben has teased us before with electricity (“My Body Sang” off Panacea, for one), but has not until now gone all out. And he does it so well. Some of my favorite parts on the album are nothing more than guitar parts done perfectly (for example, :25 on “The Daughter and The Sun” offers ten seconds of perfectly executed indie-rock guitar).

Ok, so the songs really are better, too. He’s dipping into new areas he’s never touched before and has clearly been inspired by some new artists. So, that’s cool. I’m excited to see what this new Ben Morey project does next. 

Old fans of Ben’s work won’t be disapointed. What we loved in his old work is still here.  The lyrics are the brutally honest and introspective. Ben refuses to give himself, his loved ones, or the ones who are simply close to him due to the circumstances of life an easy out in his lyrics. The lyrics can still be catchy and silly and poppy too. “All I do is wake up empty like a half note” is pop-lyrics at their cleverest and catchiest.

I haven’t even mentioned some of my favorites on the album.  The album starts off and finishes very strongly.  ”Lost Boys” sets the tone for the album thematically and also works as a good transitional piece between Ben’s old and new material.  ”Orphans” is a a grand full-band effort executed to perfection as a close to the album.  

Luckily you don’t have to take my word for it.  If you haven’t heard the album yet, do yourself a favor and stream it for free at http:\thewallpapersingers.bandcamp.com.  You’ll understand more than you’ll…  Never know. And if you like it please donate to his kickstarter so Never Never  can be pressed on vinyl. (Did I mention the Dena Zilber’s artwork for the album is gorgeous? It is, and shouldn’t be restricted to a tiny cd cover.)