Beta Male Fairytales - Ben's Brother Album Review

Ben's Brother

Album Review

Beta Male Fairytales is music to my ears, and my soul. This stunning debut album comes from five Londoners, who are about to shake up the music scene, once and for all. With so much inane music around at the Brit end of things, Ben’s Brother come as a long overdue breath of fresh air. Picking up the song Beauty Queen on Ken Bruce’s show on BBC Radio 2, I simply had to follow them up. Going to the playlist section I tracked them down. And boy was it worth it. This is possibly the best British album this year, maybe the past few in fact. Each song simply wants to make me drool at the strength of the songwriting: they’re catchy and very memorable even if they’re not all singles potential. With a singer – Jamie Hartman - who sounds like a cross between Rod Stewart and Turin Breaks vocalist Ollie Knights ( and at times Mick Hucknall ), they’ve already released Rise as a single, to critical acclaim. The album definitely deserves the same plaudits. They’re not your Keane’s or Razorlight’s as such, who are fine bands, but these lads are steeped in The Faces / Stewart tradition.

Their music is unpretentious and above all, credible. Around Hartman’s magnificent voice they have four top notch musicians : Kiris Houston ( keys / guitar ) Dan McKinna ( bass ) Dave Hattee ( drums ) and Morgan Quaintance ( guitar ). A stirring and soaring Rise is a perfect and glowing introduction to their arsenal of talents. Beauty Queen is equally impressive follower again with splashes harmonica and sprinkling of strings to envelop Hartman’s emotive and powerful vocals. Yet another beauty follows in the form of Let Me Out as the steady beat, keys and more lashing of lush strings build to a rising crescendo with Hartman going full throttle without losing discipline. Sounding like a Coldplay keys intro, Home glides gently until the understated beat arrives. Thereafter it meanders into keys and acoustic guitar to the fade out. Bad Dream is a heartfelt tale of a love break-up with the man at breaking point. A passionate Live lifts the mood dramatically, boosted by chick backups. Instrumental Harmonica in F shows they can be daring.

There’s no better way to end a brilliant album than hitting the tear ducts. Time, a bitter - sweet tear jerker from a pleading lover who’s craving for some much needed attention. The clever use of sweeping strings and Hartman’s highly emotive singing adds to the potency of the message. Sob, sob.

Brilliant, in every way. Best British album of the year so far.

Elly Roberts