Written by: Dave Cantrell

Back in late April we reviewed Benjamin Dean Wilson’s debut album Small Talk, a modest midwest masterpiece that was almost devastatingly charming. Because of its limited distribution and, frankly, its singularly idiosyncratic narrative style, the record didn’t receive the wide reception it deserved, a fate sadly true of most off-kilter works that border on outsider art. The thing about Small Talk, though (and again like most albums of its type), is that once a critical mass of listeners with a certain type of discriminating taste get a hold of it, the album will become a cult classic. So be among the smart set and don’t wait until the LP is fetching $200 on Discogs. Let Stereo Embers be your guide and get in on the ground floor (it’s available via Tapete Records here). Meanwhile, get a load of BDW’s newest video for the Updike-like short story track “So Cool,” available for viewing exclusively here at Stereo Embers – don’t ever say we don’t take special care of you – and remember us when that album you ordered on our recommendation helps put your child through college.