Sam Roberts Band ‘The Adventures of Ben Blank’ new album review
Never one to rest on past accomplishments, Sam Roberts, and his band mates have a new album out this week; their first since 2020 Juno-nominated All of Us. The new nine-song album, ‘The Adventures of Ben Blank’ features what ‘could’ be a much older Roberts on the cover, head in hands, with lightning bolt between the heavens and scorched earth in place of the man’s face… perhaps a nod to the tumultuous emotions the nine songs evoke to the listener.
Title track, Ben Blank, is the story of a “rodeo clown, hot potato, gold panner, show stopper, real deal” advising to ‘listen to your heart if it’s true, listen for life calling you‘. Don’t waste life.. get out there and live your calling. The tune and guitars are heavily reminiscent of Fixed to Ruin (Love at the End of the World album) and it wouldn’t be the first time Roberts and band hearkened back to a previous release, in a new one (Up Sister/Brother Down).
I Dream of You is so simple in its arrangement with acoustic guitar strums and Robert’s vocals, it effectively has the listener focused on the lyrics. A love song; the singer telling the subject how good life is, because they’re around. The band kicks in about mid-song and it just continues to build to the catchy end chorus.
Projection is my new favourite song thus far – I didn’t connect with it at first (it was released as a single in September) but then the band released the video for it last week and… well, its really taken a hold on me. Check out our review of the song/video here. “I need something to believe in, I need someone who dreams like me….. keep your hand in mine and don’t look back”
Cascades begins with piano intro and guitar, and a solo Roberts singing about endless monotony of days alone, heartache “cascading into a waterfall dragging us all into a river of tears.” Violin accentuates the lonely feeling of this song, as does ‘I need you!” The bridge is haunting “please please tell me where did I go wrong? I need you baby, I need you….”
Picture of Love is the most ‘Sam Roberts Band’ sounding song on the album, and was released as a single a few months back. Its got a great tempo, easy to sing to the chorus and although another love song of sorts, this one is more like a man accepting his fate due to his own shortcomings, than trying to make things work.
Afterlife is the third song released as a single prior to album release with a mesmerizing black and white video of the band performing it ‘live’. “Don’t talk to me about the afterlife” the singer states, “I’m good where I’m at basically, won’t be a slave to destiny.” Don’t need angels, halos, bright lights or choirs – just big sky, long nights, endless days and someone to be with. “Gonna put up a fight when they say come to the light, I ain’t going to the other side.”
Everybody Needs Love is autobiographical to some degree, Roberts sings about ‘two daughters and a son’ and a “brown eyed girl” who bowled him over. Roberts has stated in the past that his love songs are always to his wife, and this one includes his nearly-grown children in that love. “Everyone is different but we’re the same… everybody needs some love.”
Bad Country is a reflective song about a search for something and finding nothing – “you’re walking in bad country… be sure you don’t dig too deep“. The guitar solo after the first verse gives the song a very western movie soundtrack feel to it. Quite like the unexpectedness of this tune.
If Only is an old time waltz and is the perfect way to end this album. Closes it out nicely both sonically and sentimentally. Another love song (and NO you can’t have too many love songs when they’re all SO different), “if you hold me in your arms once again, I could forget there’s only heartache on ahead.” The bridge with the gang vocals and Roberts angst voice is incredible really.
The Adventures of Ben Blank feels like a personal album – not so much about the human condition in general, as a look back, a reflection (or projection) of the life of the writer. A life well lived, but more importantly well loved. Sam Roberts Band has another memorable, sonically pleasing, thinking man’s masterpiece on their hands. There is something for everyone with this album – casual listen or deep dive.
There is a black vinyl (of course) available and also a limited edition ‘copper nugget’ vinyl as well (either is available in signed or unsigned version) as well as CD for us die-hards. (see band’s website). Personally I can’t wait to hear this album live when the band hits Vancouver and Kelowna in February 2024. In mean time the CD and/or Vinyl will have to tide me over!
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