Its gratifying to hear gifted lyricist/musician Ben Gunning evolving beyond the sounds hes best known for. In the Local Rabbits, Gunning wrote rocknroll songs in a pop framework that barely did his eagle-eye writing justice. Now Gunnings free to make even more challenging music stylistically, incorporating production elements of jazz, R&B, and hip-hop while focusing listeners attention on his astonishing writing. Songs like "The Beauty of God, "Oh Rebel, and "Drinks are deft critiques of social "progress and interpersonal dynamics. Theyre also incredibly catchy, head-nodding songs, which, given the innovative sound of Beigy Blur, is an amazing accomplishment indeed.
How will Rabbits fans respond to this record? I think some Rabbits fans might not be as interested in this record. Theres less rock sounds here, less distorted guitars. There are some genres touched upon that might not be so popular in the "indie scene or whatever. So, Im definitely into expanding the territory and finding a niche for myself.
Your writing often seems pointedly contemporary. Are you conscious of this? I strongly believe that there are elements of North American life where weve taken a wrong path. Technologies are changing our relationships with each other and to me, theres a whole knot of problems that come out of that. How can that not be fodder for writing? Fiction has done it but songwriting often stays within traditional subject matter. There are universals but I feel they have to be linked with specifics of what were dealing with and so I try to keep it modern lyrically as well.
(Zunior)How will Rabbits fans respond to this record? I think some Rabbits fans might not be as interested in this record. Theres less rock sounds here, less distorted guitars. There are some genres touched upon that might not be so popular in the "indie scene or whatever. So, Im definitely into expanding the territory and finding a niche for myself.
Your writing often seems pointedly contemporary. Are you conscious of this? I strongly believe that there are elements of North American life where weve taken a wrong path. Technologies are changing our relationships with each other and to me, theres a whole knot of problems that come out of that. How can that not be fodder for writing? Fiction has done it but songwriting often stays within traditional subject matter. There are universals but I feel they have to be linked with specifics of what were dealing with and so I try to keep it modern lyrically as well.
