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Feb 03, 2014 Web Exclusive By Ryan E.C. Hamm

Mark Kozelek’s career has been filled with twists and turns. As a member (and primary songwriter) of Red House Painters, his work fit semi-comfortably under a broad “alt-country” umbrella, but even then, there were hints that Kozelek’s interests were a little different than the average songwriter of the early ‘90s. There was the Red House Painters’ EP centered around a KISS cover, the solo release containing primarily AC/DC covers, and then suddenly a new band with a debut about a bunch of boxers (Sun Kil Moon‘s Ghosts of the Great Highway).

Since then, Kozelek has primarily recorded as Sun Kil Moon (aside from some solo live albums), which has slowly evolved into a mostly acoustic, deeply introspective project highlighting Kozelek’s lilting guitar work and prose-indebted lyrics. Benji, the newest album from Sun Kil Moon, distills these qualities into their most specific form yet, and offer some hints of where Kozelek might go next.

Opener “Carissa” beautifully explores Kozelek’s return home for a relative’s funeral, with hyper-specific lyrics that manage to cut deep. “I’m flyin’ out there tomorrow, because I need to give and get some hugs,” he sings, and who of us hasn’t gone home hoping for the very same thing? “Micheline” stands as one of the prettiest songs Kozelek has ever penned, a deeply affecting song filled with poignant imagery. The final track, “Ben’s My Friend,” offers an intriguing glimpse at what could be Kozelek’s future interest—what begins as a straightforward rock song takes a soft rock turn, complete with a saxophone solo and classical guitar breakdown. And it’s very, very good.

Other songs don’t fare as well with all the confessionalism. The plodding “Dogs” has some pretty cringe-worthy sexual lyrics (“when I touched her down there she was blossoming and soft”). Similarly, “Prayer for Newton,” despite its admirable efforts, manages to be so heavy-handed its message is lost. And “I Love My Dad” is a nice sentiment, but probably should have been just sent to Kozelek’s dad as a Father’s Day gift.

Overall, your enjoyment of this album will depend on your patience and appreciation for Kozelek’s idiosyncrasies. Sometimes he pulls it off wonderfully, and other times listeners might wish he’d left a little more to the imagination. (www.sunkilmoon.com)

Author rating: 5.5/10