JUST RELEASED
“Falling by the Wayside’ is a propulsive, pissed-off blues-rocker. New album Sentimental Fever takes on classic pop and soul through a lens of folk-rock, Americana, blues and even ‘50s doo wop… During this era of digital automation, Sentimental Fever is a classic album for the modern age.” – Ripple Effect
Singer-songwriter Ben Musser releases single/video “Falling by the Wayside” today. It’s pushed forward by the Wurlitzer and slide guitar in a way that calls back to Eric Clapton and Duane Allman’s ‘70s heyday. Grammy-winning legend Scott Mathews’ drumming alternates between sparse alt-rock toms on the verses and full-on ride-cymbal rock on the choruses. “I’m sounding the alarm,” says Musser, “that the life and privileges enjoyed by Americans is ‘Falling by the Wayside’ because of apathy. Some of these influencers have reach, but won’t engage in politics. I want them to do something besides just drawing attention to themselves for the sake of drawing attention to themselves.” Musser’s exasperation is directed at platformed influencers (and their oblivious followers) who focus on the banal instead of fighting to protect our way of life from those who seek power and subjugation. “Staring at your screens / Being tracked by the man/ C’mon stand up and fight,” Musser sings. The “Falling by the Wayside” video accentuates the point that Musser played nearly everything on the record, while showcasing his homestead in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Multiple versions of Musser play as a band, decked out in varied visions of “Western wear” in a bucolic field, all orchestrated by fashion designer and film-producer W. Zeb Smith. RIYL: Avett Brothers, David Bowie, Kevin Morby, Van Morisson, Rufus Wainwright, Yusef/Cat Steven, Andrew Bird, Eric Clapton, Belle & Sebastian, Leonard Cohen, Iron & Wine, The National, The Black Keys, Ben Folds, Elvis Costello, Ray LaMontagne, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Beck
“FALLING BY THE WAYSIDE”
CHECK IT OUT AT: Ripple Effect
STREAM MUSIC VIDEO: YouTube
