Seems like ages ago that I first heard the music of Ben Watt. In actual fact, though, it was only in 2014. The album was Hendra, his first solo album following the demise of Everything But The Girl (a band I never cared for - regrettably or otherwise), and it had quite a strong effect on me. Hendra was released in April, the April was nippy, the pavement was cold, and I remember walking home late at night utterly engrossed in the morbid vibes and the beautiful tunes made even more beautiful by the jazzy chill of Bernard Butler's guitar. Such perfect convergence - some things you can never get over.
Then, two years later, came Fever Dream as a great reminder that true magic can never be repeated. A few songs aside, there was something lacking about the experience, a vital chord or a striking vocal melody, which makes me ever more happy to report that Storm Damage is another quiet triumph from Ben Watt. I am not yet ready to call it his finest achievement yet, but do ask me again in a week or two.
No less than five singles were released prior to the album, which seemed telling for a standard ten-song album. Especially telling was the fact that each one of those singles offered great songwriting - tuneful, exquisite and deeply personal. Speaking of the latter, the lyrics are of course characteristically bleak (not surprising for a man who has had to endure so much). Moving, too, and I can guarantee that a few lines will break you no matter who or where you are at this point in time. For me, it was the "Summer Ghosts" single that hit me the hardest. The song is frankly devastating, for many reasons, not least due to the subtle, eerie arrangement that totally transports you someplace else. The album is actually extremely consistent, and of the non-singles I would highlight the McCartney-esque (in places) ballad "Hand" and the closing piano-based "Festival Song" that is almost hopeful in its utter overpowering hopelessness.
Again, just clever thoughtful songwriting from Ben Watt - not a whole lot more. You have to wonder sometimes, though, if there is anything more to it?..
JANUARY ROUNDUP:
Destroyer - Have We Met
of Montreal - Ur Fun
Bill Fay - Countless Branches
GUMS! - Temps
A Girl Called Eddy - Been Around
Ben Watt - Storm Damage
Wire - Mind Hive
Kiwi Jr. - Football Money
Frances Quinlan - Likewise
