Up-and-coming country artist Ben Wells has gone from recording YouTube covers to recording a debut album in just a few short years – picking up a four-piece band and a newly strengthened sound along the way. Wells’ self-titled freshman release hit the charts today and has already established the Georgia native as one to watch.
The previously released single “Get Down” joins the likes of Brantley Gilbert and Jason Aldean with the latest in a long line of hard-rock infused backroad anthems – all of which tend to trigger a Pavlovian craving for cheap beer and even cheaper whiskey – we got girls in boots and jacked up toys, we don’t take too kind to those city boys…we get down here in the South, pop a top and let the windows down. While it’s an undoubtedly catchy song, it’s overshadowed by those written from his own life experiences – in the wake of real loss and heartbreak. And though I don’t know what cold-hearted temptress could run an emotional Mack-truck over this sweet Southern boy’s heart, we all owe her our eternal gratitude – one man’s failed relationship is another man’s painfully sweet, unrequited love song.
I guess you can see more than I can, you’ve found something good in him, and I don’t wanna stand in your way. ‘Cause you know I would walk through hell a thousand times just to see you smile, it would be worth all my pain. So I guess I’ll just sit here and watch my whole world walk away.
If that doesn’t spur a little empathetic ache in your heart, you have the emotional stoicism of a brick wall.
Overall, the 11-track collection manages to strike an ideal balance between personal and entertaining – combining an endearing vulnerability with enough odes to cut-offs and pick-ups thrown in to maintain bonfireside playability. If a debut album is equivalent to an introduction, I don’t think many of us will be forgetting the name Ben Wells anytime soon.
Recommended Tracks: “Valdosta Rain,” “Be With You,” “Might Be Worth It.”
‘Ben Wells’ is now available in stores and on iTunes. Look for CMP’s interview with Ben, coming soon!
