Ben Meyer Band

US 41

Independent Release, 2015

Ben Meyer has chosen now to reveal a entirely different musical side of himself via his self named band. Better known for his time in louder, more aggressive bands, this latest release, US 41, displays some of the same wit, but here is the perfect band for a roadhouse packed to the rafters with bikers, and hell raisers of every stripe. If you have to slap a label on it, country-blues will suit it fine.

There’s the irresistible salty-sweet, dirty slide guitar intro to “We’re Gonna Have a Real Good Time.” The upbeat number is an instant sing along, and sets the pace for all to follow. “Lose My Blues” explores the depths of a liquid diet as a means of improving a lousy disposition. Throughout the slide guitar is scrapping with a fiesty harmonica and fighting this one to a draw.

“The Way I Do” is starkly beautiful as Meyers stokes a Johnny Cash like baritone and with a road weary voice and contemplates life’s odd turns. “That Guy” is a funny rant which really ought to be on country radio as of yesterday.

BMB even includes a solid reading of Black Sabbath’s “NIB” at the end just to remind you he hasn’t changed completely.

This collection of songs is possibly the truest product of a life spent playing before audiences in dive bars and arenas, as well as everything in between. And this version of Meyer is as real as everything else he’s ever done before. Just more stripped down, and the musical prowess laid bare, without effects to lean on. It takes serious guts to expose oneself so austerely as an artist and quite possibly reveal an different man than the one we thought we knew.