Ben Kweller’s eponymous third solo release continues the melodic indie pop of his first two efforts while stepping up the songcraft and performances. There’s a bit more of a quiet, melancholic bent to BEN KWELLER on shimmering tunes like “Sundress” and “Red Eye,” but that’s not to say that the wunderkind can’t still kick out the jams, as on the rocker “This Is War.” The artist has roots in everyone from the Beatles to the Velvet Underground to contemporary singer-songwriters like Elliott Smith, but if Kweller’s grasp of popcraft and hooks isn’t impressive enough, he also plays every instrument on this winner of an album.

Tracklisting
1. RUN
2. NOTHING’S HAPPENING
3. SUNDRESS
4. I GOTTA MOVE
5. THIRTEEN
6. PENNY ON THE TRAIN TRACK
7. I DON’T KNOW WHY
8. MAGIC
9. RED EYE
10. UNTIL I DIE
11. THIS IS WAR

Professional Reviews
Rolling Stone (p.84) – “Kweller plays every instrument here, and bright cuts like ‘Run’ and ‘Magic’ feature a sturdy guitar sound that leaves plenty of room for Kweller’s boyish whine and catchy choruses.”

Spin (p.98) – 4 stars out of 5 — “Ben Kweller serves up the mini-classic of ultramelodic singer/songwriter pop that’ he’s always hinted at, placing giddy wall-of-sound rockers alongside soul-kissed weepers with skillful aplomb.”

Alternative Press (p.208) – “You won’t hear a more instantly infectious song this year than ‘Run,’ which condenses Kweller’s career into three stunning minutes.”

Alternative Press (p.136) – Included in Alternative Press’s “10 Essential Albums Of 2006″ — “[The album] brims with stripped down acoustic numbers and plaintive piano ballads.’

Mojo (Publisher) (p.118) – 4 stars out of 5 — “Kweller has delivered his most honest, touching album. Life-long love and grown-up thoughts meet childlike fears, joys and longings…”