Benji Hughes : A Little Extreme EP

<img src="http://www.qromag.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/benjihughesalittleextreme.jpg" alt=" " />Before he delivers his debut full-length, <em>A Love Extreme</em>, Benji Hughes gives a little preview, <em>A Little Extreme EP</em>....
7.5 New West
2008 

  The North Carolina singer/songwriter employs a funny, winning attitude with some interesting song styles to whet appetites.

Little opens with the interesting “Tight Tee Shirt”, which combines a disco-shuffle and a high twinkle.  But what’s most remarkable is Hughes’ wry nature, which is just enough of a straight-faced smirk to never dominate, but always be present.  The bigger “So Well” is still personal, but Hughes’ cock-eyed outlook keeps it from getting too emo.  The slower “Waiting For An Invitation” is more of a relaxed alt-country piece, but the sadness isn’t ever overwhelming.

The disco-esque nature returns with “You Stood Me Up”, and, of all the stylings Hughes tries out on Little, the disco-ish ones are the best.  “Stood” has a tongue-in-cheek disco-grand that is reminiscent of famed indie mulit-aspected singer/songwriter, Beck.  “All You’ve Got To Do Is Fall In Love” employs a piano-man low-key charm, but the slow and soft finisher, “How Many Birds?”, is a little too heavy in its air.

Luckily, “Birds?” is the one Little track that’s not going to be featured on Love.  Currently on tour with Rilo Kiley (QRO photos) and Thao Nguyen & The Get Down Stay Down (QRO spotlight on), A Little Extreme EP is on sale there (and soon in stores).  Whether from Little or live, Hughes is sure to win over some new fans.

MP3 Stream: "You Stood Me Up"

{audio}/mp3/files/Benji Hughes – You Stood Me Up.mp3{/audio}


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