Howard’s originality, though, is in his ability to create and reflect intimacy, to make his often opaque lyrics apposite and believable, and to always neatly wrap them in strong melodies and wiry rhythms. The album also benefits greatly from the ensemble playing of Howard’s bandmates, India Bourne and Chris Bond, who skilfully contribute a raft of instruments and complementary harmonies. The quality threshold is high throughout, whether it’s the pared down beauty of “Everything”, the empowering positive pop of “Keep Your Head Up”, or the epic gloom of “Black Flies”. Every Kingdom is quite a self-assured debut, delivered by a guy who could be your best friend and still date your sister.
Ben Howard Every Kingdom Full Album 12
In UK he was one of the discoveries of 2011, his debut album "Every Kingdom" charted straight to #7 on the UK album charts. In this country, the first single "Keep Your Head Up" is already rotating strongly on the funk, and in early February "Every Kingdom" will finally be released Ben Howard, who grew up in Devonshire, in the southwest of England, is regarded as an acoustic guitar virtuoso. With his incredibly gripping voice he breathes new life into the folk genre, makes his songs light up and glow and makes sure that everything feels completely new and fresh and exciting.
Let me start this by saying I am a huge Ben Howard fan and the Hammerstein Concert was the 2nd show we saw of his on this tour. The 1st show we saw was in Los Angeles. I also know this concert was for a tour that was set up to promote and support his new (3rd) album released this summer. With all that said, it was a disappointing show. Howard has made it well known he does not love playing songs from his 1st or 2nd album. It feels like he's going out of his way to prove a point by not playing more than 2-3 older songs out of a 14 or 15 song set. It's as if he's forgotten those who became fans in the 1st place. Everyone in the audience wants to hear them and the energy in the room changes completely when he does play an older song. People sing along, they hug those with them, everyone is smiling. You can literally feel the difference. And that lasts for 10 minutes then it's gone. At Hammerstein, people actually up and left the show, during the concert. Ben also left the Encore a song early, leaving his band on the state to finish the set, without him. It was quite awkward. Unless he changes it ways, it was likely the last show I will attend. I think it'd be valuable for him to understand, each concert is a chance to make an impression as it's likely someone's first ever concert and maybe someone's last. I've been to numerous concerts in support of a new album and the better acts always find a way to sprinkle in old and new. 2ff7e9595c
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