Jazz-influenced Rock: Brett Dennen's So Much More

Brett Dennen’s got the voice of Adam Green—a combination of the jazz-blues of Billie Holiday and the indie folk, avant-garde of Devendra Banhart. However, where Green uses his voice on odd, mature-themed, pop showtunes, Dennen settles into a roots blues acoustic jam. Listening to Dennen’s So Much More back to back in the CD changer with bluesman John Hammond (see above), it strikes me that Dennen uses his voice like a blues guitar.

In fact, while Dennen plays a fine guitar and he’s accompanied by accomplished musicians, the instruments are just backdrop for the real music of Dennen’s voice. There’s one moment on the album when my ears were pricked by the sound of a slide guitar, and sure enough, it’s an anomaly—Keb’ Mo’ guesting on “Because You are a Woman,” adding bluesy grace notes in the style of Eric Clapton’s contributions to Roger Waters’ The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking.

In the liner notes, Dennen dedicates the album to “truth, justice, and daydreams.” Certainly daydreams are envisioned in the 60’s/70’s dipped love songs, shining with a California Valley euphoric hope. Yet, Dennen isn’t syrupy. “She’s Mine” has a chorus like an updated Michael Jackson/Paul McCartney “The Girl is Mine,” but the lyrics are smarter, sharper, truer to the heart.

Which brings us back to the dedication to truth and justice. Dennen is also a prophet dreaming of how things could be if people would stop to listen to the truth and see justice. “Ain’t No Reason” says, “There ain’t no reason things are this way,/It’s how they always been and they intend to stay/I don’t know why I say the things that I say,/But I say them anyway/But love will come set me free.” The Dylanesque “I Asked When” works like a biblical prophet’s rant, calling on the listener to see the reality of our cruel, wayward actions. In that role and voice, I suspect Brett Dennen has so much more to say.

Thank you to Brett Dennen and Dualtone Music Group for the review copy.