Ben Brookes

Enthralled by a cover and some simple demos, producer Mark Healey of Badfinger fame implored singer-songwriter, Ben Brookes, to leave his native Portsmouth to come to America to record in Minneapolis, one of America's most unassuming rock n roll hotspots. The resulting record is The Motor Car & The Weather Balloon, a ten-track album of tight, catchy pop melodies with a melancholic thread woven throughout. The album boasts the talents of musicians who have played on some iconic records by two of Minnesota's prodigal sons (Michael Bland, drummer for Prince and Greg Inhofer, keyboardist for Bob Dylan). In addition, Healey recruited Badfinger guitarist Joey Molland to round out the lineup of certified hit-makers.

The lead single and album opener 'Integration (Not Segregation)' takes the husk of a classic wistful pop-rock track and strips away the usual niceties to make the emotional vocals seem that much more sincere. It's not “I wish we could fly away into the clouds”, Brookes yearns “Just think if we could fuck off and get ourselves out of here” while the chorus paints Blitzkrieg images around the protagonist's dramatic love story. The band hits in all the right places, tastefully playing around Brookes' thoughtful chord changes.

'Asleep in Galilee' takes the listener on a virtual tour through paradise, imagining a romp through the garden of Eden. Lush 12-string guitar and smooth harmonies fill out this aspirational piece. 'The Girl Who Cried Wolf' also takes advantage of shimmering 12 string to create a dreamy texture, complemented by a stark piano line. Album closer 'Shackles' bids a bittersweet goodbye to the protagonist's love interest in a tender final sentiment.

Ben Brookes The Motor Car & The Weather Balloon is a tight album of pensive, yearning tracks that carefully avoid the pitfalls of being over-dramatic or hopelessly forlorn. Things happen, people come and go. You miss them but life goes on and you forge ahead.