Home What's Been Happening Today? News Features CD and Live Reviews Altsounds TV Contests, Competitions and Giveaways Gear Reviews Community Music News Aggregator Our Multimedia Studios Staffroom Site Editors Area
RSS Feeds Follow Us on Twitter Be our Friend on Facebook Join us on Myspace Connect with Chris on Linked In Come watch our videos on Youtube.
Signup for an Altsounds.com Account Login to your Altsounds.com Account
Select a new Random Song Select a Random Band To Listen To Select a Random Radio Station to Listen To Check out a random full album stream on Altsounds.com
Skip to the Previous Altsounds.com Review
Skip to the Next Altsounds.com Review
Review Tools Search this Review Rate Review

CD Review - BenSem – Sunshine [EP] BenSem – Sunshine [EP]


BenSem – Sunshine [EP]

BenSem Records

April 6, 2009, 09:28 AM

Views: 662   Comments: 9

Buy BenSem – Sunshine [EP] From Amazon.com
Spacer Icon
BenSem describe themselves as Indie Pop Rockers but in truth they play melodic AOR. They’d call it timeless – I’d called it dated. They hail from Pontypridd, Wales but sound generically transatlantic. It is competently played and produced but is not as good as they think. Singer and songwriter Sem is described on their website as an “emotional wordsmith” but as song titles ‘Why I Cry’ and ‘Science Project’ suggest, he delivers little more than self-pitying sixth-form laments.

Lead song ‘Sunshine’ is an upbeat, up-tempo rocker with the would-be anthemic chorus of “Got sunshine in my hair, feeling so damn low, and I'm all alone”. ‘Why I Cry’ is a grand emotional ballad complete with string section. But really these songs are not truly emotional or deep.

I can imagine them playing under the break-up-but-soon-to-re-united scene in a glossy rom-com – and BenSem’s songs are as facile and paper-thin and formulaic as their celluloid equivalent. BenSem will appeal to the crowd who find Counting Crows a little too progressive; and if you like first track you’ll like the rest. I didn't like the first track. At all.


Last edited by jack s : April 8, 2009 at 12:02 AM.









Review Rating

 
Overall Rating
30%30%30%
3
Vocals / Lyrics
10%10%10%
1
Musicianship
30%30%30%
3
Production
40%40%40%
4
Creativity
20%20%20%
2
Lastability
10%10%10%
1
Reviewers Tilt
10%10%10%
1

21%
This album is Trash Can Fodder and should be avoided





Author info
the_archivist's Avatar
the_archivist
Reviewer/Interviewer
the_archivist is offline

Visit the_archivist homepage Send an Altsounds Message to the_archivist Challenge the_archivist to a game in the arcade Send an E-Mail to the_archivist

 
Array title- sinbad81's Avatar
sinbad81
Altsounds Newbie

Send an Altsounds Message to sinbad81 Challenge sinbad81 to a game in the arcade Send an E-Mail to sinbad81

sinbad81 is offline

Default - Re: BenSem – Sunshine [EP] Re: BenSem – Sunshine [EP]

Well, having read such a bad review I had to give this band a listen for myself just to see what all the moaning was about. I have to say, I really liked what I heard. It is different to all of the indie stuff in the UK charts at the moment, and the singer has an amazing voice. I also had a look for them on MySpace, did you know they have over 40,000 fans on there? And they have street teams all over the place including Japan.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I respect yours, but I'm not sure their fans (of which I am now one) would agree!

Comment Posted on: April 9, 2009, 01:31 PM
 
Array title- deadletteroffice's Avatar
deadletteroffice
Reviewer / Interviewer / Photographer

Visit deadletteroffice homepage Send an Altsounds Message to deadletteroffice Challenge deadletteroffice to a game in the arcade Send an E-Mail to deadletteroffice

deadletteroffice is online now!

Default - Re: BenSem – Sunshine [EP] Re: BenSem – Sunshine [EP]

lol, if the above poster is NOT a member of the band I will attempt to eat my own face.

and any group who describe themselves as "The Goo Goo Dolls, meet John Mayer, meet the Fray, meet Counting Crows in a big jam session" are just asking for a new arsehole.

Comment Posted on: April 9, 2009, 02:32 PM


 
Array title- altsounds's Avatar
altsounds
Check out my band - Bleedelectric.com

"Check out the new look site and the studio arm of Altsounds.com!"


Visit altsounds homepage Send an Altsounds Message to altsounds Challenge altsounds to a game in the arcade Send an E-Mail to altsounds

altsounds is online now!

Default - Re: BenSem – Sunshine [EP] Re: BenSem – Sunshine [EP]

Blatantly in the band or are a close friend of the band. Why would you try and come off like you just found them through Altsounds and love them?

Originally Posted by sinbad81 View Post
Well, having read such a bad review I had to give this band a listen for myself just to see what all the moaning was about. I have to say, I really liked what I heard. It is different to all of the indie stuff in the UK charts at the moment, and the singer has an amazing voice. I also had a look for them on MySpace, did you know they have over 40,000 fans on there? And they have street teams all over the place including Japan.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I respect yours, but I'm not sure their fans (of which I am now one) would agree!
__________________
I am a Welsh Record Producer, Graphic and Web Designer, Film Maker, Photographer, Artist and Writer. Phew, that's a mouthful! Hit me up if you need work done.


Comment Posted on: April 10, 2009, 10:11 AM
 
Array title- MattWillis's Avatar
MattWillis
Altsounds Senior Member

"More Fun Than Cancer!"


Visit MattWillis homepage Send an Altsounds Message to MattWillis Challenge MattWillis to a game in the arcade Send an E-Mail to MattWillis

MattWillis is offline

Default - Re: BenSem – Sunshine [EP] Re: BenSem – Sunshine [EP]

pahahaha i know, i thought EXACTLY the same thing.


it's called damage control i believe!
__________________
Shane N' Bake

Comment Posted on: April 11, 2009, 11:16 AM
 
Array title- the_archivist's Avatar
the_archivist
Reviewer/Interviewer

Visit the_archivist homepage Send an Altsounds Message to the_archivist Challenge the_archivist to a game in the arcade Send an E-Mail to the_archivist

the_archivist is offline

Default - Re: BenSem – Sunshine [EP] Re: BenSem – Sunshine [EP]

'Big in Japan' is part of a noble tradition. Surely they will be releasing a "Live at the Budokan" set shortly??

Comment Posted on: April 12, 2009, 08:45 AM


 
Array title- sinbad81's Avatar
sinbad81
Altsounds Newbie

Send an Altsounds Message to sinbad81 Challenge sinbad81 to a game in the arcade Send an E-Mail to sinbad81

sinbad81 is offline

Default - Re: BenSem – Sunshine [EP] Re: BenSem – Sunshine [EP]

Originally Posted by deadletteroffice View Post
lol, if the above poster is NOT a member of the band I will attempt to eat my own face.

and any group who describe themselves as "The Goo Goo Dolls, meet John Mayer, meet the Fray, meet Counting Crows in a big jam session" are just asking for a new arsehole.
Well perhaps you should start munching then mate. I don't know any of the band and hadn't heard of them until I read this review! I use this website a lot to read about music and have found a lot of new stuff this way. Usually I just read and don't get involved but I disagreed with this one so much that I signed up so I could comment back!!

I think that just because you don't like something doesn't mean that everyone else will agree!

Comment Posted on: April 12, 2009, 05:33 PM
 
Array title- jack s's Avatar
jack s
Site Editor

Visit jack s homepage Send an Altsounds Message to jack s Challenge jack s to a game in the arcade Send an E-Mail to jack s

jack s is offline

Default - Re: BenSem – Sunshine [EP] Re: BenSem – Sunshine [EP]

Originally Posted by sinbad81 View Post
I also had a look for them on MySpace, did you know they have over 40,000 fans on there?
Doesn't mean anything mate, you ever heard of a cheeky bit of sofware called "FriendblasterPro" adds loads of friends by a few clicks. I have over 1500 friends and probably 2% have actually listened to my tunes
__________________
[Portfolio Blog] http://www.talktojack.co.uk
[Connect] Facebook | Myspace | Twitter


Comment Posted on: April 12, 2009, 07:48 PM
 
Array title- Heron's Avatar
Heron
Edi Tor

Send an Altsounds Message to Heron Challenge Heron to a game in the arcade Send an E-Mail to Heron

Heron is online now!

Default - Re: BenSem – Sunshine [EP] Re: BenSem – Sunshine [EP]

Originally Posted by sinbad81 View Post

I think that just because you don't like something doesn't mean that everyone else will agree!
And just because you do like something doesn't mean that everyone else will agree.
__________________
“The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There’s also a negative side.”Hunter S. Thompson

Comment Posted on: April 13, 2009, 07:10 PM


 
Array title- sinbad81's Avatar
sinbad81
Altsounds Newbie

Send an Altsounds Message to sinbad81 Challenge sinbad81 to a game in the arcade Send an E-Mail to sinbad81

sinbad81 is offline

Default - Re: BenSem – Sunshine [EP] Re: BenSem – Sunshine [EP]

Originally Posted by Heron View Post
And just because you do like something doesn't mean that everyone else will agree.
I agree - I don't expect everyone to like it just because I do. But I do feel that I should be able to express my opinion, and let others make up their own minds.

Comment Posted on: April 13, 2009, 09:30 PM



People reading this
Users Viewing This Review: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Review Tools
Rate This Item
Rate This Item:


Recommended Reading
Copeland - You Are My Sunshine [CD]  Copeland - You Are My Sunshine [CD] | Reviews
The Fratellis - Look Out Sunshine [Single]  The Fratellis - Look Out Sunshine [Single] | Reviews
The Comas - Come My Sunshine  The Comas - Come My Sunshine | 3rd Party Music Videos
Michael Mourning-SUNSHINE-[R & B]  Michael Mourning-SUNSHINE-[R & B] | Altsounds Hosted MP3s
The Glove- Blue Sunshine (Re-issue)  The Glove- Blue Sunshine (Re-issue) | Reviews





 
  MUSIC & MORE:
Music
Artists
Full Album Streams
Radio Stations
Charts
Artist / Listener Blogs
Games Arcade
Browse Press Users
Browse Listeners
 PROFILE SIGNUP:
Reader
Artist
Listener

PROFILE LOGIN:
Reader
Artist
Listener
 PRESS:
News
Reviews
Features
Gear
Altsounds TV
Giveaways
Community
The Staffroom
Site Editors
 BLAND INFO:
Help / FAQ
About Us
The Team
Contact Us
Promote Us
Advertise Here
Legal Stuff
 

vBCredits v1.4 Copyright ©2007 - 2008, PixelFX Studios
Copyright (C) Altsounds Ltd 2003-2009
All times are GMT. The time now is 04:26 PM.

Ping/Trackback Enabled by vBSEO 3.0.0 RC3