BEN JELEN-GIVE IT ALL AWAY-2004 (ENHANCED CD)

BEN JELEN

GIVE IT ALL AWAY-2004

(ENHANCED CD,made in U.S.A.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvz5WNrVwlg

Ben Jelen possesses a rare combination of sensitivity, model-esque good looks, and genuine musical talent. With his debut, GIVE IT ALL AWAY, the Rutgers University biology major is easily lumped in with contemporaries like Jack Johnson and Gavin DeGraw, but the kind of singer/songwriter fare he's whipped up finds him earning comparisons to the likes of Jackson Browne, Ben Folds, and Todd Rundgren. Playing piano, violin, and guitar, Jelen (pronounced "Yell-en") impresses mightily on tracks such as the soaring title cut, with its sweeping piano runs, and the synthesizer-kissed "Stay," with its ringing message of romantic optimism. Even the overt pop production of Baha Men collaborators the Berman Brothers is muted by Jelen's winsome vocal phrasing on the ear candy that is "Every Step." The 24-year-old world traveler also offers one cover tune, a winning rendition of "Wicked Little Town" from the rock musical HEDWING & THE ANGRY INCH, replete with subtle string arrangements and harmonies. With this impressive array of songs, GIVE IT ALL AWAY finds Jelen easing quite comfortably in his new role as a rock star.