Lately, I have been hearing a lot about the inherent death of rock. Sting says rock is so boring that he chooses to play 16th century lute music. Bob Dylan says he hates the sound of CD's and that he wouldn't buy anything that's out nowadays. These guys are rock icons, some of the contributing fore fathers of rock and roll. Granted neither one has done anything new of mention, but having some iconic greats in their pantheon, it's hard to ignore their comments. I want to disagree. I want to shake my fist at their prattle and tell them they're tired and old. And then this happens.

Ben Kweller.

This has got to be the most unoriginal, repetitive, glossed up turd I have ever heard. This is what is wrong with rock music. The funny thing is I had never heard of Ben Kweller before, and with my desire to give every one a fair shake I looked him up on the Internet. All I found was raves and praise. Maybe there's something wrong with my ears. Maybe there is. But I hate this disc no matter what.

The very first song "Run" is an ignoble bite off of any Beatles or E Street Band song. "I don't know why" is a total rip off of Tom Petty's "Won't Back Down." It's really pathetic. I don't mind hearing influences of bands that shaped your interest in music but I can't even listen to "Don't know why" with out Tom Petty taking over in my head and singing "Won't back Down", and thank God he does. The one consistent thing about Ben Kweller is his voice. It's monotone and repetitive. Every song sounds the same because his voice sounds the same. No changes of emotion, no range, just the same thing over and over.