Ben Arnold's latest release Calico is an eclectic blend of catchy pop tunes, rocky blues jams, and melancholy ballads. What unifies the album is Ben's rather husky voice. Others have compared it to Randy Newman or Graham Parker but for some reason it reminds me of Counting Crows lead singer Adam Duritz. Regardless of who it reminds you of, all or none of the above, Ben's voice and his lyrics provide the focus on this wide ranging album.

Calico starts out with upbeat rock/pop tunes. Zig Zag and Calico Kid are catchy playful tunes in the "life is a trip enjoy it" mold. The chorus of Zig Zag sets the tone:

You gotta zig zag
Have yourself a laugh
Someone's gonna let the sun in
Get a big bag
Fill it with your past
Leave it out for Monday morning
Zig zag, zig zag

While House of Cards continues with the upbeat music and pop sound, it introduces the melancholy tone that is mixed throughout the album. Without the lyrics you would think it was a love song but it is about the loss of love:

'Cause it seems what once was
Holding us together
Now it just keeps tearing us apart
We could bear any kind of weather
How did we build this house of cards?

The experimentation continues with Blacklight which Arnold describes as a "psychedelic love song about how the best things can explode into the worst things." Despite this description, or perhaps because of it depending on your perspective, it is one of the stronger tunes on the album. The music is simple and yet its rhythm and tone match the black light of the title. Ben's voice overlays a ballad onto this psychedelic sound. The resulting mix is a surprisingly catchy tune.

After this playful beginning, the album launches into a more blues orientated rock sound. Pickin' The Lock is clearly a Rolling Stones inspired tune. The sound is your standard rock anthem with a dash of horns. The lyrics are about as deep as well:

But, how can you walk with that ball and chain
Kickin' the rock standin'' in your way
Just give it a knock and you'll float away
Or try pickin' it

Deeper Truth continues this sound and, and despite its title, the lack of depth. Wilderness is another rather weak attempt at this tough guy sound. Some might find this edgier rock sound appealing but personally I just don't think Ben pulls it off. He sounds like any other rock star wannabe and the songs really don't stand out.