Ben's Brother's appeal goes beyond Dentyne commercials

Date published: 5/8/2008

BY KYLE FALKENSTERN

Hot new British indie band Ben's Brother released its full-length U.S. debut, "Beta Male Fairytales," last November.

The band were already a hit across the pond, and it's no surprise that they're catching America's attention, too. The band's founder and singer, Jamie Hartman, named the band after his big brother, Ben. Jamie always felt as though Ben was the alpha male--hence, their debut album's title.

The album's hit "Stuttering (Kiss Me Again)" is best-known as the song on the Dentyne Ice commercial. However, the CD is packed with great songs--not just typical TV jingles. Love songs like "Beauty Queen" have a U.K. flair and are actually quite good.

Ben's Brother has a sound similar to that of Paolo Nutini, and Hartman's smoky vocal delivery sounds oddly similar to Rod Stewart's.

Lyrically, the band's song subject choices and plays on words make for interesting listening. Hartman has a knack for writing well-crafted songs with catchy choruses that can't help but get stuck in your head.

Kyle Falkenstern is a junior at Stafford High School.

Date published: 5/8/2008