Ben Kweller - Ben Kweller

This is perhaps the most deserving eponymously-titled album of the year, being wholly Ben Kweller's handy-work, right down to the last glockenspiel tinkle. How this will transfer to the live arena can only be guessed at. Aside from the Herculean musical effort on display here, Kweller's also managed to pack this long player full of cracking tunes, evoking Big Star memories and Beatles hooks. Impressively sensitive on a number of tracks, especially Thirteen and sparkling opener Run, 25 year-old Texan also gives us some '60s-tinged dancey moments on I Gotta Move and the unashamedly Byrdsy Magic. No boundaries being broken here then, just a whole heap of refreshingly non-punk, sun-drenched fun and singalong melodies. [Jon Seller]