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Features:ItBen Kweller is honest, has great lyrics and isn't afraid to say 'la la la.' By SARAH LYONS Date published: 4/1/2004
YOUTH CORRESPONDENT "It's still like la-la's and stuff going on." These are the thoughts of Ben Kweller, reflecting on his new album, "On My Way." The comment makes perfect sense, given that his last album--aptly titled "Sha Sha"--is full of lyrics such as "sha sha, sha doo," "bop bop" and "ooh ooh ooh ooh ah ah ah." But Kweller, a quirky 22-year-old pop-rock artist with a taste for crazy lyrics, has much more to say in a phone interview with it!. "On My Way," due out on April 6, manages to have the same lively appeal as "Sha Sha"--with enough distinction to show that Kweller is (no pun intended) on his way to becoming more mature as a musician. "Most of the songs have like four verses, as opposed to the two or three that were on 'Sha Sha.' I had a lot more to say, and a lot more thinking that I went through," Kweller says. The title track is particularly mysterious. An eerie melody laced with mournful lyrics like "I want to kill this man/ but he turned around and ran/ I'll kill him with karate/ that I learned in Japan/ He couldn't see my face/ I wouldn't leave a trace/ I wouldn't use a bullet/ 'Cause a bullet's a disgrace" causes chills to go up the spine. The next verses follow the same melody and come from the point of view of a thief, a listener, a friend and a lover. The last verse includes: "I'm in love with someone who's as pretty as a flower/ Her life gives me power/ So I'm buying her a ring/ She makes hats with her hands/ She is such an artist, I'm her biggest fan/ and I'm teaching her to sing." Kweller decided to let it! in on the mystery. "I had the idea of starting the song out as a murderer, and then a thief, and then the center, like once you become a listener, that's the first step to becoming a better person. "And then after a listener, you become a friend, and then a lover-- which is the ultimate." Kweller's quirky, insightful lyrics steer away from the depressing.
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