Jake’s Music Reviews

On My Way – Ben Kweller (2004)

Overall:    Excellent

1. I Need You Back: A song that needs to grow on you. You may listen to it and not come back to it, but i do suggest that you do. It does grow on you and you cant help but sing it.
2. Hospital Bed: A song that doesnt really have a good hook, but a good message. At the end though he starts to sound like Oppy from Family Guy and that kinda kills listening to the ned of the song. Overall good song.
3. My Apartment: Decent hook, you find yourself singing it but not really remembering the rest of the song. The instrumentation is what saves this song from a lower rating. Good guitar and good drum back beat make it stable.
4. On My Way: Very very mellow, deep lyrics, simple acoustic guitar. Sounds at his best on this song in my opinion on the album. This is Kweller maturing in his songwriting and singing abilities.
5. The Rules: Pointless lyrics really, but good hook. Instrumentation again saves this song in my opinion. A very nice solo by Mike Stroud, brings something to Kweller’s music that just wasnt there before. A pure jam and  crowd pleasing song,
6. Down: Good lyrics, good instrumentation but i felt this song should have been more mellow, not uptempo. Its more of a coming of age song that should be sung with a hush and piano. But maybe im the only one. Otherwise just a generic great Kweller song.
7. Living Life:  This is where the album really picks up. In my opinion Kwellers best songs come out when he is playing the piano. This song is beautiful and majestic and a great piece of work. As a little 70’s pop hook and it works great for this song. One of his best works. So simple yet overpowering.
8. Ann Disaster: Wow, fun fun song to listen to. Lets start with the ability of Mike Stroud. Wow can this guy play a wicked guitar, the solo is amazing, Zeppelin-esc in spots. Kweller sings amazing in this song as well, good upbeat song and really just a fun song to jump around to in concert or just in your basement with the volume turned all the way up.
9. Believer: A very good love song. Down to earth and deep. Simple in the instrumentation and presentation. You can tell in his voice how this song really touches him and the heart he puts into this song. He truly is in love and you can tell. Amazing.
10. Hear Me Out:  A harmonica driven song? Classic. This is one of the best tracks on the album. The lyrics can get a little confusing at times but you get the message in its hook and overall in the end. A harmonica solo is here as well, wow….wow. Dylan?
11. Different But The Same: Another piano song, seriously when Kweller again is at his best. mY not be his best piano song but its so deep and emotional that it really makes you think while really enjoying the song. Kweller really towards the end of this album is getting more mature with his lyrics. This track is definitely one of his more mature tracks. Great.