SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BEN PAGANO – EXPLORING DREAMS

Ben Pagano
Exploring Dreams
Independent

Ben Pagano is a New York City based writer/musician/actor who has been releasing music since 2014 (Robot Jazz being his debut album). His music and lyrics are definitely his own and he has carved out his own distinct style. Although the songs are based around his keyboards and piano, it is difficult to place his music in a specific genre. What is interesting about Pagano is that he is comfortable with space and silence. Songs like opening track “Feeling Down” starts very sparse, but builds into a wonderful wall of sound, thanks mainly to the strong guitar work from Tom McCaffrey. But it is the slow build of the song that is the real star. This is Pagano’s talent, allowing the song to build. He does this often.

Pagano has created an album full of different sounds and different sonic experiments. This is not a straightforward singer/songwriter album. Imagine if Father John Misty fronted Pere Ubu, and that is kind of how this album hit this reviewer. “Everyone’s Ghost” is what one would expect from a keyboard based singer but even then, his unique vocals and overall sound of the song is very distinct and stands out as a true original. Whereas a song, such as “Nowhere Place” becomes a blistering rocker by the end. This is the beauty of the album, it goes in directions the listener is not expecting. The album ends with a very funky, soulful “Hot Capital”, which is just crying out for a dance mix.

Pagano’s vocals are also worth noting. In many ways, his voice is closer to rhythm and blues than rock or even pop, but the combination of styles makes his vocals warm and inviting, yet at times sometimes painful. But the combination is quite perfect. It blends in with the music and arrangements and that is one of the strengths of the album.

At times the lyrics are psychedelic and dreamy in their own way. Again, like the arrangements, the lyrics are not as simple and sparse as one would initially think and Pagano likes to play with words and images.

Like most cities, New York City has a strong independent scene. Ben Pagano is another artist from New York City that demonstrates that there is a lot going on in that city, especially in the The Lower East Side. Exploring Dreams is an excellent album, and one that grows on the listener with each spin. In many ways, this album is like a great 1960s album, put it on, lay back and dig it.

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