Sydney rockers mrben will release their debut album Night & Day later this month, but I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek.
The opening track, “Memory,” draws you in with its smouldering verses and blistering chorus. Things slow down a little on “One Man,” but while it’s somewhat calmer the song is certainly no less intense. Ben Wever’s emotive vocals see to that. “When You’re Gone” is sure to become a live favourite with its crunchy guitars and hook-laden lyrics.
This album has been four years in the making, and it shows. Mrben has laid down 11 solid songs that beg to be played again and again. The sound is more polished than most debuts. Clearly those years playing Sydney venues like the Gaelic Club, the Cat & Fiddle, and the Bridge Hotel have served the lads well.
Singer-songwriter Ben Wever enjoys exploring the darker side of the human experience, but the energy behind the songs ensures they never get too gloomy. His raspy vocals wrap around his lyrics with genuine conviction. This is clearly a man who’s really lived. We’ve seen drummer Jeff de Araugo as part of Sarah Blasko’s band, but this meatier material allows him to really let loose. Bassist Leighton Holloway completes the trio, unifying the rich sound.
Sydneysiders can catch mrben launching Night & Day at the Annandale Hotel on Wednesday 19 November.
Image source: mrben website