Date Posted: June 28, 2011
Print Edition: June 24, 2011
By Joel Smart (The Cascade) – Email
Ben Sures has a distinctive voice and a talent for writing lyrics. Originally from Regina, Saskatchewan, but raised in Western Canada, Sures gets regular airtime on CBC Radio and has performed at many Canadian folk festivals over the years. In 2005 he won the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, out of 15,000 entrants. His new album, Gone to Bolivia, a fun mix of eclectic folk rock songs, will have fans of his music singing along like they’ve known the words for years.
While it is undeniable that Sures has more talent in writing music than singing it, he sings with a soft passion that is instantly likeable and catchy. It’s even possible the occasional off-tune note actually adds to the appeal of his songs. It’s a friendly album, and almost every song has a message. Some of the songs, like “Everybody Matters,” have the type of moral that could make it appropriate for younger audiences as well. Although, to be fair, lyrics like “the fat kid on the fat farm” and “the pornstar working hard” make it clear that Sures isn’t trying to be Raffi by any means.
Each song consists of tightly-packed lyrics in a gently-sung, acoustic-heavy melody. The title track “Gone to Bolivia” is easily the best of the bunch, so it’s no surprise why it was chosen as the name of the album. The tune is incredibly catchy, yet the opening lines make it clear he isn’t writing a pop song, “Revolution is blood and sorrow / Revolution is tears and morals / The children of Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara / Are tired of his image offered up like soda.” Meanwhile, the memorable song “Rambling Bones” talks about a family that is falling apart. “Rambling bones / pull you to the next departure zone / Every year is one step closer to another broken home / rambling bones.” Really though, despite some of the heavy topics, every song is pleasant.
Some of the songs, like “The Boy Who Walked Backwards Through the Snow” and “In Burma,” have some more unique instrumentals. Some of the instruments used include the violin, cello, and even the pedal steel. A couple of the songs also have background singers. For the most part, though, Sures sings by himself.
Like a good Canadian he even includes a French track in “Embrasse Papa, Fais Dodo,” which has an old-time feel. It seems that Sures has drawn inspiration for Gone to Bolivia from all over. The album art has a Spanish “Day of the Dead” look to it, though this influence doesn’t seem to appear in any of the songs themselves.
The style of Ben Sures seems quite similar to The Decemberists or The Shins, though perhaps a little more folksy. Although his latest effort is not for everyone, it’s a very approachable album that seems very fitting for the coming summer. There are some tracks with serious lasting power on this album, and given the chance, most people will find something that appeals to their tastes.
If nothing else, at least check out “Gone to Bolivia” and “Rambling Bones” and see if it doesn’t have you humming along in no time.
