This album surprised me in it’s mellowness and in fact it could be argued that it takes mellowness to a new level. The new Kylie album sounds like Slayer after a listen to Ben Arthur! Now that isn’t a criticism as such as there is plenty of room in the world for nice laid back tunes. Lyrically though there is a degree of weight in some of the songs which ironically is enhanced somewhat by the relaxed style of the music. Mr. Arthur certainly doesn’t shy away from weighty topics and some may get a real surprise at the intensity of some of the lyrical content.  

Onto the album itself and starting up with “Tattoo” I expected Kenny Rogers to burst forth as there is a heavy leanings to country but the velvety voice of Arthur adds a degree of interest to this mellow and relaxed track. Next up is “Sun Also Rises” which starts with a guest appearance from applauded singer Rachael Yamagata. There is a period of Yamagata singing solo before the song develops into a duet. There is a real Bob Dylanesque feel to this song which does work though again the general mellowness shines through. 

Amazingly the third track “Psalms Of War” takes the mellowness to an even greater extreme though it is quite a poignant number. The fourth track “Ever Since September” deviates by bringing in some jazz flavour and even some R&B touches. The street poetry style does add a bit extra character but again the relaxed mellowness is very much at the forefront. 

“Exit Wounds” comes next and this cranks the sleepy relaxed side things up another notch, almost sounding as if Arthur is going to doze off through the vocal and once again there are definite nods to Dylan in the song structure. I nearly fall off my chair though when “Last Goodbye” fires up with it’s bouncy guitars and Good Charlotte style delivery. This is quite a catchy pop punk number which would certainly go down well with the youth market and would probably garner some strong chart action as a single. 

However it's back to melancholy and mellowness with “On A Sunday” which by now may be a step to far for this reviewer in the mellowness stakes. “Beautiful Day In LA (Now Will You Leave)” is up next and there is hints of REM in the number which adds a bit of character to, what is again, a pretty inoffensive mellow track though it would also make a fairly chartable single. Back to the country sound with “I Told You I Love You” which again is very safe with those mellow vocals and music. The album finishes with the live “All Along” which, surprise surprise, is yet again rather "mellow". 

Did I like this album? I appreciated the competence, vocal performance and musicianship but I think it was a case of just too many mellow tracks in a row for me. The “Last Goodbye” certainly showed another side to Mr Arthur but I would only really recommend this album for someone after very chilled sounds or mellow music that dealt with weighty issues. There is obviously a lot of talent here but on this album but it is not something I would come back to very often. However there are people who will love this album and for it’s style and genre it is very accomplished.

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Track Listing

Tattoo
Sun Also Rises
Psalms Of War
Ever Since September
Exit Wounds
Last Goodbye
On A Sunday
Beautiful Day In LA
I Told You I Love You (Now Will You Leave)
All Along