On Brendan Benson's sixth solo album, the FM-gold guru — and occasional Jack White collaborator — turns into a dark-hearted relationship expert, spinning tales full of curb-kicked exes and embittered beaus (sample fun-time title: "She's Trying to Poison Me"). But it's a testament to his power-pop prowess that even his most downcast tunes are adamantly upbeat: "I'll Never Tell" is equal parts stomping and slinking, with a drum break straight out of Kiss' "Love Gun," and the minor-key harmonies and bucolic guitars of "The Fritz" are Apple Records to their core. It's all fetching, if tough to fully love — which may have been Benson's intent all along.
Wavelength
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