Ben Davis - Aided & Abetted

Music by committee; it’s a great idea, but a hard thing to perfect. One of the fundamentals of music is collaborative vision and unity, but when you get a group of artist’s together to play on an album it sometimes spells disaster. Using upwards of 6 producers and 16 musicians on one album certainly qualifies as walking the line on this subject. However, Davis succeeds nicely and comes out of the kitchen full of cooks with a dish that is sure to satisfy. Aided & Abetted is the second solo release from Davis after leaving the band scene to raise a family. The key of the album is Davis’ use of each artist to reinforce and strengthen his vision, instead of trying to make it sound like the guests are taking over the party. The album exhibits heavy influence and homage from the sounds of Elliot Smith, God rest his soul, with mellow lyrics and a gentle harmonized voice. Aimee Argote (of Des Ark) steps up to the mic for a couple of songs, providing one of the albums highlights in “Green Forestry Ranger”, but for the most part it is Davis’ voice and melodies that make the album shine. Aside from a few guitar-driven songs (see the catchy riffs of “Underdawg”); the majority of the album is acoustically driven and piano based. Perhaps mellowed out from fatherhood or time, Davis is more relaxed and focused than his early days, and this is a good thing. From beginning to end this is a focused yet dreaming record, wandering about the piano keys, producing melodies and mayhem. Overall this album will be a pleasant surprise for anyone who picks it up. Though no one could ever replace him, fans of Elliot Smith’s brand of melodic, yet dark, yet catchy, yet indescribable music will find a welcomed home in Davis work. A great record to put on and just mellow out to. [www.lovitt.com]