With the release of his EP, "Cut You In," singer/songwriter Ben G became the first London, Ontario solo act to win a Jack Richardson Music Award and London Music Award in the same year (2008). He has since taken home three more awards from the LMA’s and JRMA’s he has the honor of winning every award he’s been nominated for to this date thanks to support from his loyal friends and fans in Ontario and Vancouver. Ben G is now poised to release his first full-length record, a collection of music that resonates with feelings of love, angst and the pursuit of an ideal.
The promo CD I received contained 9 tracks - and there is not a bad one in the batch. "Getaway" is a terrific choice for the lead single and embodies everything one could wish for in a smart pop rock song. "Circles" is strong cut that meets the high bar set by "Getaway", showcasing Ben G's instincts for nailing a good chorus hook - this one stuck in my head for days. "Light My Way" shows a darker side to the music of Ben G, displaying his versatility as a songwriter and vocalist. "Addiction" is true to its title: a catchy power pop track with just the right amount of crunch in the guitars. Additional highlights come towards the end of the record, with "South (Where It's Warm)" and "Morning Song". "South" allows Ben G to flex his vocal muscles, showing us how gracefully he can slip up into his falsetto to make a memorable melody. Finally, "Morning Song" is a perfect way to end things, and it contains a chorus that dares you to not sing along.
Ben G's voice is super radio friendly, reminding me of Roland Orzabal (Tears for Fears). Based on this promo, his first full-length release should make a big splash - the G could be for Great.
Ben G's self-titled debut CD is anticipated to be available sometime in August or September. Mark you calendar if you like James Guffee, Collective Soul, or Oasis.
iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9
Ben G on MySpace. Official site.
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