by Walter Price

It’s been a short spell since we’ve heard from Lawrence, Kansas’s own singer-songwriter Ben Myers. But don’t fear, Myers has returned with a brand new 6-track EP ‘Tea Leaves’ brimming with his signature psych-sewn raw storytelling. Traveling through six chapters of emotions and experiences: Infatuation, Remembering, Aloneness, Uncertainty, Desire, and Transformation… And similar to his previous catalog, this post-pandemic set will take the listener far into this songwriter’s awareness.

Myers’ latest blend of urgent reluctance can be heard in full, here at the GTC.

https://globaltexanchronicles.com/tea-leaves/

1. Infatuation. Can't you see how badly I want you?

2. Remembering. Lingering feelings. Lost

3. Alone. Comfort in sadness. For you

4. It's over. A fantasy. Are we or aren't we?

5. Desire. Distance. I'm all in

6. Endings and beginnings. A goodbye. You've transformed me

by Walter Price

The latest full-length, ‘Bad Blood’, from Kansas native Ben Myers is a stripped-down trip through a creative’s pandemic era thoughts. It isn’t fully clear if all 12 tracks were conceived during the past couple of years but the vibe throughout is that of isolation, desperation, defiance and, hints of hope and renewal. So all the pieces seem to fit.

I say hope, in the most abstract way, considering the current social climate. Myers, with his knack for writing songs that act straightforward but often have moments of perceived misdirection. Kind of like remembering a dream. You can explain all you want what happened in your slumber last night, but the nuanced details are never as easy to convey as you’d hope. So, while listening to this personal album laced with psych-pop tendencies, be cognizant that Ben Myers constructs his songs in a manner that leaves interpretation on the table. The songwriter’s experiences are the backbone here, but the best route to take is to have a couple of streams and soak in, translate and make these songs your own.

What is unwavering, is that we’ve all had a rough go of it as of late and Myers writes and produces his truths about it all and this is ever evident on this LP. And you can steam this shadow poet’s ‘Bad Blood’ as well as his Top Spotify Tracks, now at the GTC.

https://globaltexanchronicles.com/bad-blood-lp/

Deluxe Editions of my last 5 albums are now available in the "Members" section. They are loaded with tons of B-Sides, Demos, and Alternate Takes spanning the last 10 years. I had a lot of fun putting these together and reminiscing. I think fans will find that this is an amazing window into my songwriting process. I'm making the B-Sides available under a Creative Commons license, meaning the songs may be shared or sampled as long as credit is given. More details on that are in the "Members" section.

The Deluxe Editions are free to listen to and you may also download them for any price you choose.

Not a Member? No problem, it's easy to sign up from the front page of the site.

Thanks for all the support and being part of this journey!

Ben

From Global Texan Chronicles

No end to this darkness ALBUM: BEN MYERS – ‘The Dark Heart Age’ (LP)  

by Walter Price 

What’s eating at Ben Myers? His latest release, ‘ The Dark Heart Age’, is a 12-track collection moving in and out of reminiscent conversations, promises, pleas, and lovelorn sentiments. Resulting in the vibe, for the most part, lingering in the darkness, with fleeting moments of abstract positivity. A voyeuristic experience into a talented songwriter’s heartbreaking and complicated memories. 

With all its beautiful piano and guitar arrangements covering a nice swathe of genres and Myers’ emotional words laying on the thick anguish, love, and longing. This album seemingly would better fit a Fall or Winter release/listen. Lest you forget, Summer has its rainy days as well. 

If you’re moved by Jeff Buckley, Elliot Smith and/or Sufjan Stevens, this album will slide nicely into your downloads.