Ben Darwish – “Industrial Hero”
Written by DJ Ekonomiks on February 18, 2016
Don’t even get me started on Ben Darwish. This album “Industrial Hero” (2006) has one of the most unique sounds I’ve ever heard; it’s a blend of heavy industrial hip hop and jazz fusion. His chord progressions are out of this world and the energy the band brings to the table is unreal. Each song has a unique feel but totally blends with the overall feel of the album. The melodies, voicings, and rhythms mesh to create one of my favorite albums of all time. I’ve probably listened to this 50 times straight through and I still have a blast with every new listen purely because there’s so much content within each song. Every solo is a journey that takes a hold of me and doesn’t let go. The motifs are catchy and the arpeggios just boggle my mind. This album is a perfect example of the direction of jazz that I enjoy the most: flashy, technical, and banging.
Ben Darwish actually taught me lessons as a kid and I think that’s partly responsible for why I enjoy his stuff so much. However, there’s no denying that the content is extremely creative and surprisingly accessible to people of all musical backgrounds. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve played this record for who have absolutely loved it.
All in all I give this album a 10/10 for taking a different apporach to jazz and for inspiring my musical tastes. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more records like Industial Hero.
As always, have an excellent day.
DJ Ekonomiks
PSU