Rating: Skip It

Speaking of things that aren’t spectacular, Benjy Davis Project seems to want to be the Nickelback of country music. If you don’t like either of those things, then stay clear of this band.

In their defense, they are good at what they do; their instrumentals are seemingly flawless and the vocalist isn’t horrible at singing with his creamy voice that’s sure to target a primarily female crowd. Those same females who find themselves liking the Plain White T’s might also like Benjy Davis Project. Both bands have a tendency to use an upbeat melody to accompany songs with a longing, sentimental quality.

The songs, especially the choruses, have the same bouncy and twang-y rhythm that most people recognize from listening to country music, even just by accident.

However well crafted, the tracks are incredibly mediocre, which is a quality many attribute to Nickelback.

Not to bash country music, it does have its place. However, country’s definitely a niche market. Understanding that “mainstream” generally means “watered down,” Benjy Davis Project might have a role to play in serving as a segue for many people into an appreciation of the genre. It may also force the genre’s market to expand into the “pop culture” world. If that seems like a good idea to you, buy this album and help with the cause.