Ben Thomas

Illinois based indie-folk singer/songwriter Ben Thomas releases his new project, 'Bring Forth'.

'Bring Forth' is a collection of songs by Ben inspired by a handful of hymn lyrics dating from the 4th century to the 20th century, all seeking to find the Divine in the everyday elements of our existence... life, death, creation, re-creaton, dawn, day, dusk.

"It's basically an album of songs based on hymn lyrics, mostly hymns I'd never heard before", admits Ben. "I used the original lyrics as starting points but took a lot of liberties with them. "

Again, the Lord is a gentle and sweet song. But don't let that put you off! I love the creative use of different voices in this song, his gentle voice is the makeup of the sound we hear on this song to create a strong beautiful sound.

Ben has the type of voice that is actually very popular at the moment. He mixes between the ever so popular Sam Smith, Hozier, Tom Odell and George Ezra, but fits into the Ben Thomas category of sound. Ben has a fresh and lean silver-toned voice that doesn't leave your ear after the song has finished.

The creativity of songs like Creator God, Creating Still and I'm Gonna Live sound like new songs in their own right. I have to keep remembering these are hymns, of sorts. Yet I really think Ben has hit the mark if I keep thinking these are modern tracks.

Tell Me The Old, Old Story is the first time the album moves towards a more classic acoustic, indie ballad. The harmonious vocals mixed with heart wrenching words make this a must listen to. I Sing The Goodness had me foot tapping all day. I love the groove and bass in Lord of All Being, and the piano in 'Take My life' is very John Lennon esq.

Peace, Troubled Soul takes a pinch of the folk/Rend Collective sound. Splendor is one of those proper album-ending tracks that reminds me a little of the Jars of Clay track Sad clown (another amazing song), it just spills over with raw power and emotion.

One of the finest points of this album is that when Ben sings, you really believe him. There aren't too many singers these days who can convey their feelings just in the tone and sound of their voice. I couldn't believe how much one man's voice could draw me into the songs, could make me cry, make me think, make me smile and even make me repent for my sins. How can one man convey so many emotions and feelings? Ben has managed to grasp and dig into something that actually caught me off guard, and for that he must be applauded.

This isn't a guy who has stolen all the best hymns and 're-done them'. Ben has taken these hymns, and not the obvious ones either, taken the heart of the songs and flipped it upside down, turned it inside out, added a cool indie feel to them, sprinkled a massive dollop of creativity, and turned the song around again whilst still keeping the hear of the original hymn, without it sounding like the original song (does that make sense?). Only a true musical genius can pull off an album like this, and Ben Thomas has made something really special here.

Review by Jono Davies

Standout Tracks
Creator God, Creating Still
Tell Me The Old, Old Story
Lord of All Being

LTTM Rating: 5 stars - Louder than the Music