BENJY DAVIS, TWO THUMBS UP!

By Stephanie Brossard
Contributing Writer

Ever find yourself humming to a song playing throughout the speakers of a grocery store, but never figuring out the actual name of the band? This has become the perfect personification of the sound of The Benjy Davis Project (BDP).

Their memorable hits are very catchy still they are not well-liked. The group pitches their music somewhere between the outlet store friendly styles of Counting Crows and the mature pop/rock sound of Better than Ezra. The type of music you would more than likely hear through the speakers of your local Starbucks.

The Louisiana-based group unlike today’s music artists, stick to tradition. Their music maintains the customary southern-influenced style which they started off with since the debut of their first album “More Than Local.” The BDP have continued that habit throughout their other albums, presently in their recently released fourth album “Dust” the band uncommonly uses a variety of instruments ranging from banjos, mandolins and harmonicas.

Just as they utilize different instruments they also highlight their many sentiments. From the emotional stature of “The Rain” which interprets those hard days when an individual just wants to get away. To their heartfelt romantic hit “I Love You” which isn’t your typical love song, however, none of their songs have been ordinary. Their music portrays the true meaning of life, love and the attitudes of college kids growing up in today's society.

The Benjy Davis Project sound more or less like The Fray, not only because of their likable tunes, but also because that they too deliver somewhat of a hidden religious message. In songs like “Whose God” the bands catchy beat simply appears as a song about the world around us but in actuality reads between the lines of which God would want the malicious things of this world to be the way they are; though sadly unlike The Fray the BDP have not yet received any airplay on religious stations.

The group continues to advocate their proud, soulful, southern expression tradition of music that speaks to listeners everywhere. Giving a new sound to southern music the album “Dust” takes those customs to new height.