Stories Under Nails

Stories Under Nails

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Ben Weaver's records are marketed as music, but they have more in common with the Southern Gothic novels of Larry Brown and Harry Crews. Though hailing from Minnesota, he mines the same territory of rural noir as those authors, with as much a literary sensibility as a musical one. Nails comes off more as a book of short stories set to music than a CD of songs. Though the opener, "Grieve All You Want," has a beautifully romantic chorus, the melody is perfunctory a best. Weaver abandons singing all together for "John Martin," a recitation with band accompaniment about a good deed going punished. The aforementioned accompaniment is stellar throughout, from the unidentifiable drone that haunts the opener to Jimmy Johnson's spooky and atmospheric pedal steel guitar. It is no surprise that authors like Brown and critics internationally praise his work: being wordsmiths they, like Weaver, are enamored of the wonderful images conjured up by his lines and aren't worried that the phrasing of such imagery doesn't always fit comfortably into the rhythm of the music. You may not find yourself singing along to Weaver's tunes, but they will haunt your dreams. --Michael Ross

Tracks:

Grieve All You Want
Voice In The Wilderness
Old Mission
Sway With Me
John Martin
Cold House
Like A Wound
40 Watt Bulb
Handed Down
Old Mule
Broken By 2
Ragged Words

Amazon.com

Ben Weaver's records are marketed as music, but they have more in common with the Southern Gothic novels of Larry Brown and Harry Crews. Though hailing from Minnesota, he mines the same territory of rural noir as those authors, with as much a literary sensibility as a musical one. Nails comes off more as a book of short stories set to music than a CD of songs. Though the opener, "Grieve All You Want," has a beautifully romantic chorus, the melody is perfunctory a best. Weaver abandons singing all together for "John Martin," a recitation with band accompaniment about a good deed going punished. The aforementioned accompaniment is stellar throughout, from the unidentifiable drone that haunts the opener to Jimmy Johnson's spooky and atmospheric pedal steel guitar. It is no surprise that authors like Brown and critics internationally praise his work: being wordsmiths they, like Weaver, are enamored of the wonderful images conjured up by his lines and aren't worried that the phrasing of such imagery doesn't always fit comfortably into the rhythm of the music. You may not find yourself singing along to Weaver's tunes, but they will haunt your dreams. --Michael Ross

Customer Reviews:

Ben Weaver strikes gold again.......2005-10-11

I'm not really sure what the negativity of the other reviews is all about, but I'd say this is Ben's best effort yet.

He's made a geniune leap as an artist, with a transition from jug band/whiskey swillin' tunes to a more mature, bone-chilling sound. Always powerful and always honest. Give 40-watt bulb a listen and you'll hear what I mean.

I look forward to the next installment.

Hard on the ear .......2005-10-03

Great song writer but hard on the ear , my kids were in the back begging me too turn it off .

Superb.......2005-10-01

There should be some sort of musical knowledge and comprehension test made mandatory before you can write a review for Amazon. What did you people in the earlier reviews expect when you bought this? Ricky Martin?

This is such haunting music. It's mountain music, melancholy and slightly queasy, but still so beautiful. I can see the Nick Cave comparison, more for its moodiness than its actual structure or lyric content, though there are still similarities there. Ben's voice has much more authenticity though - Nick Cave feels contrived in comparison.

This album really takes some getting used to, but you'll find yourself going back to it repeatedly just to freak yourself out a bit. The twangy, rural-noir guitar can be quite unsettling at times.

To the second last reviewer here, I'm sorry your friend's mother didn't enjoy this. Why don't you go out and buy her something by Michael Buble.

Impossible.......2005-10-01

I can understand how people have different tastes. I can understand how people with no taste still have preferences. But I honestly cannot understand how ANYONE could like this.

The music is like that of William Shatner, while the spoken word vocals reminded me of the narration that led into commercial breaks on the old Dukes of Hazzard TV show. This guy is a redneck in full self-parody mode, trying to be a beatnik.

As I listened, my first instinct was to eject it from my car stereo and throw it out the window. Then I thought about giving it away, but I was afraid of insulting anyone I'd give it too. Out the window it went.

I honestly believe any positive review must be coming from either Ben under an alias or a record company plant. It is impossible to like this garbage.

bad... No! listen to me "BAD!".......2005-09-29

My friend's mother bought him this cd recently and he hasn't talked to her since.

Music Review: