Melodic Noise Insider Podcast: #1 Ben Noble
Reviews by: Andy Ellis, Writer @andysmileyjay
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, owner/editor @PlaylistTC
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Album artwork by Ben Noble and Laure Vail
Ben Noble’s music keeps me coming back. And not because I shed tears at the sound of his soprano vocals. His voice is great, but every time I listen to his new record Bitter Work I find something new.
His music has evolved from a straight forward singer-songwriter to a more experimental Radiohead-type sound. Upon first listen, and a less mature ear, it may just sound like a collection of random noises with his soprano voice mixed in there as well. However, as I listened more often and intently those sounds turned into melodies that had a purpose and direction.
Ben peeled back the curtain on some of the songs offering awesome insight on how the ideas started. But even after the interview I’m still listening as to make more sense of them myself. Luckily, there were some that were easier to decipher than others, and one’s clue was right in the title.
It was almost impossible to see the title “Misterchristianwhiteman,” and not automatically guess the concept. But what was surprising was his forgoing of the traditional verse-chorus-verse song structure for something that would be very at home at an art exhibition with its accompanying music video playing on loop in its own screening room. The more I listen to it, however, the more it makes sense the song is structured that way.
Yes, there is a chorus type section sprinkled throughout with Noble singing the title of the song, but the chorus isn’t treated like the traditional hook in the sense of something like the Beatles’ “Let It Be” or “With A Little Help From My Friends.” Ben’s only goal is to get this message across as clear as possible using music as his medium and his instruments as his brushes. The structure only exists to hold all the pieces together.
Then earlier in the record is “Gamora.” He’s able to tie in the Gamora and Thanos relationship (yes, that one) with him coming to terms with certain messages from his Evangelical upbringing. It was something I did not see coming.
The way he creates the mental breakdown resulting from that moment of realization in the song made me feel how much it shook his mindset. His gentle but passionate vocals followed by this thunderous instrumental just hammer home that idea of a belief you’ve held for so long just crumbling down like an avalanche. It’s one of the most powerful moments on the record.
Then there’s the title song and album closer “Bitter Work.” It deals with the work that goes into growing being your own person and all that comes with that, including acknowledging your own beliefs that may be different from when you were younger. There is this feeling of clarity of the song has overall that has the record ending on a peaceful note as if he’s seeing the other side of his internal battle and coming into his own truth.
I really enjoy this chat with Ben. Admittedly it’s a deeper subject than I thought would be our first episode, but it does set the tone for much I want to dig in on the Melodic Noise Insider podcast. I’m really excited for this new adventure, and I cannot wait to dig into the Minnesota music scene with you.
