Won over with Linford’s easy writing and lyrical style

By Josh Cole
CD Review

I reviewed Ben Linford’s “In his Pajamas” while in my pajamas — a perfect way to get up for the day and have a fresh start.

Linford has an easygoing style that is immediately catchy and fun. Linford is basically a one-man band with a few guest artists, making for a very personal and close-to-home production that rings through on each track.

“Drive’n On” made me think a little of The Talking Heads with this repeating guitar sound effect and uppity lyrics. Linford sings: “Kick’n back in drive’n time. All it takes is a little road.” It wasn’t all that long ago when gas was cheap enough that driving could be just that kind of pastime, a way to get away from it all. Now to do it must be carefully and financially calculated, like the day I went to Talkeetna and saw Push K, the band Linford played in at The Fairview this past summer.

I like the feel good sound that comes across in Linford’s music. I’ve been reviewing so much metal lately, it’s refreshing to hear something closer to my taste, with acoustic guitars and actual melody and lyrics I can understand. In “My Baby Baby.” Linford has fun with words that makes the song worth it just for this one stanza: “She takes my blues and then turns them to loving red. I’m Indigo when she’s not around. She’s got a movement like honey and angel wings, that kind of movement drives me wild like ruby slippers, like magic feathers.”

I guess he’s just a little in love.

Finally, in “Smile,” Linford shares some of his wisdom, giving some of the best advice I’ve ever heard in a song: “If the tables are turned and you’re about to get burned, just look to the west and let your mind rest. There’s always tomorrow, forget about your sorrow. Stick close to your friends, connect the loose ends. Keep smiling.”

For a copy of Ben Linford’s “In His Pajamas” or for booking info, e-mail Ben at mrjive@luvshaq.com.

Josh Cole is a local musician and CD connoisseur. For a possible review of a new release, e-mail Cole at lettersfromthevoid@yahoo.com or at Myspace.com/familiarwalls.