Ben Sollee Expands His Repertoire With Inclusions

07/06/2011

Ben Sollee Expands His Repertoire With Inclusions

I've always had a weak spot for the cello so it's no surprise that I took an immeadiate shine to Ben Sollee when I first found out about the classically trained cellist-slash-dreamboat (Seriously. Look at him! He's cute as a button!) via his collaboration with Daniel Martin Moore. With Dear Companion, his cd with Moore, Sollee cemented his place in my heart and we all know that with that place comes the outlandish adoration that involves a vigorous daily e-stalking regime that makes certain no forthcoming release will go unnoticed. Somehow, however, Sollee's latest solo effort, Inclusions, escaped me so when I found out about the disc's existence, it was like getting a belated birthday present from my second favorite cellist (My first, naturally, being the eleven year old cellist-in-training I babysit).

Inclusions, start to finish, is an album that gets lovelier with each passing listen. Each element audible here - Be it Sollee's intimate vocals, a gently strummed acoustic guitar ("Captivity"), or the album's recurring brass section - has been captured at it's finest and it seems as if each element of Inclusions begs to be noticed in a different fashion the more familiar you get with the record.

You can listen to Inclusions all the way through at Sollee's bandcamp and if you like what you hear (which I'm sure you will), you can toss the man ten bones to get a copy for your very own. If you're still not ready to commit, just take a listen to the triumphant "Close To You".

Ben Sollee - Close To You

Posted at 10:00 AM in Album Reviews, Commentary, Downloads | Permalink

Tags: Amber Valentine, Ben Sollee