Friday, December 19, 2014

Ken's Top 10 of 2014 - #1: Benjamin Booker

I've been obsessed with Benjamin Booker since he was added to this year's Newport Folk Festival. Since then, I posted about each single as they were released, and raved about his Newport performance and his headlining show at TT the Bear's. You'd think I'd have burnt myself out on his by now. But I don't think I can.

Booker's sound isn't anything completely original, except for the way he blends it all together. He blends Delta blues with 60s Detroit protopunk, all with the energy and charisma of Kurt Cobain. It's a sound completely fresh that feels totally familiar. The album starts with the opening roots riff of "Violent Shiver," and just takes off from there. His energy is high even in the ballads like "Spoon Out Your Eyeballs." He sucks the audience in like a seasoned veteran, and he's only 22. Booker is going to be huge one day. Catch him now before he's playing theaters, or maybe even arenas in 5-10 years.

1 comment:

  1. Hello, You probably already know this but Benjamin Booker is playing the Sinclair on April 4th. Tickets are on sale Friday at noon.

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