Ben Kweller - Ben Kweller
[Columbia]

Ben Kweller's come a long way in the past decade; from singer in teenage grunge band Radish to becoming one of America's most prominent, respected singer/songwriters.

With his third major label release, Kweller continues his formula of solid, catchy college-rock. Less edgy than his previous releases, this self titled release sees the 25 year old expand his song subjects, with interesting, more personal lyrics.

Ever the adventurous one (last album ' On My Way' was recorded live in a single room with no headphones or over-dubs), Kweller plays every instrument on this record, from drums to slide guitar. In his most honest album so far, Kweller's focus seems to be on the ideas of growing up, leaving town, travelling and escaping.

Lead track Run is apparently a nostalgic look back at his gypsy life; 'since 15 I have ran everywhere you can run but with you it's much more fun'-reflecting back on his teenage years, it's poignant that this is his most mature sounding album to date.

Always one for off-kilter love songs, 'Thirteen' is a piano ballad about young, romantic dreams, and is apparently the track Kweller considers the 'masterpiece' of the album. A stripped back, Ben Folds style track, interspersed with that oh so American singer/songwriter tool, the mouth organ, it's a touching ode to first love.

In the day of Ben Folds and Evan Dando, this album is unlikely to set the world alight for Ben Kweller. It's a pleasant, inoffensive album, but he's going to need to pull something a bit more memorable out of his hat if he's going to win the college-rock set over.