What Kind Of World

Brendan Benson wrote and recorded his fifth solo album while moving from Detroit to Nashville. Musically, the record has a foot in both cities. Benson’s affinity for new wave and power pop can be detected on tracks like ‘Light Of Day’ and ‘Happy Most Of The Time’. Lyrically, however, the songs touch on more mature themes, such as the process of growing older and settling down with a family.
There’s also a lot of what Benson describes as his tendency towards “random ramblings and word-play”, which might alienate listeners looking for a more focussed experience. The Nashville influence is most apparent on ‘No One Else But You’, which features a stonking horn section and calls to mind Benson’s new Nashville compatriots Lambchop. But without his Raconteurs partner Jack White as wingman, the blandness of Benson’s writing becomes an issue.
Ultimately, it’s difficult to imagine What Kind Of World expanding his cult fanbase.