Brett Dennen - Lover Boy

Thu 18th Aug, 2011 in Music Reviews

An artist gets sick of being pigeonholed so he decides to shed his skin and change tact with the latest album. There are a tonne of musicians that spring to mind but the newest person to have done it is North Californian, Brett Dennen. He got sick of the folk/songwriter tag and wanted to write a record that would make people dance and also inspire them to get on their feet and sing.

On Brett’s fourth LP, Lover Boy, the follow-up to the critically acclaimed Hope For The Hopeless he almost offers a community service announcement in the liner notes. He writes: “This is an ode to the wonderful feeling of love whether it be romantic, friendly or just plain caring for people. This album is about letting go, even if it hurts”. He adds: “Don’t take it too seriously”.

The album was written and produced by Dennen with recording mostly done live and captured in single-takes with minimal overdubs. Some friends and other musicians joined Dennen in the studio and it sounds like the group were having a ball making some noise. This mostly included pop with a soul-tinge and even a twist of reggae, blues and the upbeat, celebratory vibe that typifies native African music.

Surprise, Surprise kicks things off and is a fun, pop ditty not too far removed from Dennen’s contemporary, Jason Mraz. There is a real sense of promise and assurances of opportunities awaiting with it all being “Just a matter of time”. The rather quirky track, Dancing At A Funeral is about cherishing the moment and lessons learned (perhaps from life lost) and all performed with Ben Lee’s kiddie piano. Basically, it’s one rollicking good time, wake or not.

Elsewhere the record continues with a mellow, laid-back charm. Even when Dennen tackles more “difficult” subjects like: loss, death and pain he remains ever hopeful. He is sincere while singing about the personal yet utterly relate-able and is amicable to the core. It’s been said he doesn’t like to waste a word in his compositions and while this may be debatable, he is certainly clever and prolix enough to pack a lot into a three-minute pop song.

The first single, Sydney (I’ll Come Running) proves a real highlight with its catchy beat and big choir in the chorus that combine to make for one hand-clappingly good time as he once again seeks out silver linings through glass-half-full-verses. Can’t Stop Thinking meanwhile, is very much like a UB40 number with its pop-meets-reggae via ska tones and Must Be Losing My Mind has hints of the Bee Gees-style falsetto and 70s groove. Of particular note is Dennen’s unique vocals that underpin the entire record, they are an androgynous and curious blend that are a lot like Andy Bull with a twist of Bob Dylan and just a hint of Neil Young.

There is no question about it – Dennen is a hopeless romantic, albeit a very chirpy and uninhibited one. On Lover Boy he has created an album for people he loves in the hopes they’ll enjoy it and pass it on to someone they care about. Of course, whether they choose to do so or not is a matter of personal choice but it is certainly a record best enjoyed while you let yourself either float away or sway just as the mood takes you. In short, it’s a good soundtrack to spring where things are fresh and there is promise in the air and what better way to relax and enjoy the moment then to be taken by the hand by a confident, smooth and sincere songwriter who just wants to create joy in you, pure and simple.