Justin Bennett
Portland, Oregon, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
Thursday 8/16/2007
Justin joined Valley Talk hosts Jim Willhight and Ray Pietz in the studio to promote his show at the Venetian Theater. Includes a live performance.
http://www.kgal.com/audioarchives.asp - KGAL 1580AM - Albany, OR
The Justin Bennett band, recorded live at the Venetian Theater in Albany, OR, August 17, 2007.
http://www.kgal.com/AudioMP3directory.asp - KGAL 1580 radio in Albany, OR
Wanting More is the debut long player from Portlander Justin Bennett,
a singer/songwriter who likes a big sound and gentle harmonies. Crisp,
clean production highlights the lyrical straightforwardness and honest
sentiment expressed in Bennett's sincere vocals. Musically, the album
recalls early 90's REM as well as some of Death Cab's gentler moments.
Fans of Damien Rice or Nick Drake will enjoy the sparse strings and
guitar of "Another Untitled Love Song". "Time" is another standout
track, featuring a Keith Richards-y slide guitar, lending the song a
classic/country rock vibe. Breanna Paletta's cool, close harmonies are
an integral element of Wanting More, and her and Bennett's tightly
interwoven voices are one of the many charms of the album.
The rest of the band (Steve Dexheimer – Bass, Jared Knowland – Drums,
Ian Knowland – Keyboards) do a rock-solid job of keeping the tunes
interesting and rocking, without getting in the way of Bennett's
soulfully raspy melodies. Overall, the album has bit of a 70s folk
rock vibe, with an Elliott Smith twist. Wanting More is a personal,
engaging release from one of Portland's dazzling up-and-comers.
Peter Swenson
Editor
cdbaby.com - CDBaby.com
Discography
Wanting More - Full Length Album (2008)
I See - single (2007)
The Way You Want - single (2007)
This Isn't Goodbye - single (2007)
Walk Away - EP (2006)
Photos
Bio
"Wanting More” is the debut album from Portlander Justin Bennett, a singer/songwriter who likes a big sound and gentle harmonies. Bennett’s sincere vocals, lyrical straightforwardness and honest sentiment recall some of Death Cab’s gentler moments. Soulful, raspy melodies give the album a bit of a 70s folk rock vibe, with an Elliott Smith twist. “Wanting More” is a personal, engaging release from one of Portland’s dazzling up-and-comers.
- - Peter Swenson, CD baby Editor
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Born in a small town in Oregon, Justin grew up singing to Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty and the Eagles. Those big sounds and layered harmonies did something to his heart. With lyrical heroes like Bill Mallonee and John Lennon, Justin was inspired to take a personal and honest approach to songwriting.
Faith, affliction, prevailing; his songs touch on things he's dealt with in his own life.
With sincerity and emotive texture, intricate guitar and stick-in-your-head melodies Justin Bennett sounds at home in his songs - and hopes the listener, too, will find a home in his art.
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"My mission is to speak to people through my songs the same way I would in a deep, personal conversation. To change the way people think about themselves and others."
- - Justin Bennett
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