Ben-o brings it all home

Home. The concept itself draws emotions and memories from the deepest corners of the soul like no other idea can. This is exactly the association that Ben-o had in mind while recording his new album, appropriately titled Home. The songs are comforting and soothing, like a warm blanket for the subconscious. And silly as it may sound, this soft approach to song writing works, making for an enjoyable, listenable collection of folk-inspired tracks.

But before you tune out and tell yourself you don't like "that kind of music," take a listen. Really. Ben-o (also known as Ben Jones, OC '96) not only digs deep into the art of good song writing, but makes it easy for listeners to pick up on. With background vocals and full accompaniment from 10 collaborating musicians, Ben-o refuses to be filed away as just another folksy solo artist. And he isn't. On the contrary, the style demonstrated on Home is one of maturity, learned experience and telling narratives - a great feat for someone barely 23.

Though Jones' words wreak sincerity and seriousness, for the most part several lighter songs make the album well-rounded. "T.R.F.S.," for example, may have a misleading title, but is an innocent little song about watching a girl dance in the disco and the attempt to follow through on the crush. Its upbeat rhythm and quickly-strummed guitars give just enough edge without overdoing an acoustic effort.

"'83 Olds" is another addition to the set that makes one smile. A sort of narrative about a visit of Jones' friend (to Oberlin, of all places), the song follows the pursuit of a woman by way of "my grandpa's big old blue car," blending bluesy chords with backup vocals and laid-back musicalities. "'83 Olds" is perhaps the silliest addition to Home, but nevertheless, what would home be without Grandpa's cheesy car? Point proved.

One of the better slower inclusions to the album is the opening track, "Rain." Here, Jones is joined with female backup in its chorus, collaborating for an incredibly rich, full sound. "Don't forget the truth you know - the sun may feel so right, but the sun can never make you grow without rain," Jones sings, and the listener is reminded of summer lightening storms, or steady autumn rain drops on a windowpane, and the task is completed: home, once again, comes into view.

The most beautiful collaboration with his backup female vocals is not "Rain," however, but "Rather Go Away," a comfort of times that perhaps shouldn't be remembered, punctuated with blended polyphony and simple guitar accompaniment. While Jones sings of another's pain, the female vocals constantly soothe, reassuring the listener through their melody. The result is a remarkable completeness, filling the song with warmth and well-articulated harmony.

Of course, in addition to the light and the dark numbers, there are the humorous. "Boston Floods" is one such song that sounds just as innocent as any other addition to Home, until the mischievous lyrics are read. In his way in which such potty-mouth lyrics fit with the light folksy melodies. But Ben-o pulls it off like nothing, and makes the listener chuckle in the process.

Home is crawling with such surprises. What comes off at first as a standard, straightforward folk-rock album becomes more and more familiar with every listen. And, unlike several other albums of the same genre, something new is taken from the songs each time. As if Jones is singing specifically to each of his listeners by name, the lyrics just fit; they make sense. And you'll find them stuck in your head for times to come after the music has faded away.

True, Ben-o's style may sometimes be reminiscent of Hootie, but one shouldn't really mind given the completeness of the entire album. And while Home may be the epitome of the ever-detested concept album, the concept of home works just fine for the style portrayed. After all, it's a nice place to be. And, as Ben-O proves, it's a nice place to sing about, too.