Benjamin Keith’s debut album If a Moment Could Speak is nothing new but has something more than the other artists he has been compared to such as Rob Thomas, Jason Mraz, and Matthew Good. He has the catchy hooks of Rob Thomas without being too common, occasional upbeat tempos like Jason Mraz without being annoying and soul- touching lyrics of Matthew Good without having to go to the hospital.
As an artist, there is often pressure to have a unique sound, but If a Moment Could Speak reminds us that good music doesn’t have to be something different.
“Happy Song” is the best track on the album, opening with a simple guitar riff and gradually building with layers of soothing vocals, percussion and more guitars. The imagery of the lyrics is what makes this song so stunning with lines like “Now I’ve found my peace in the silence of dawn” and “I’m waking and shaking and cold like the dead.”
The rest of the album is a mix of faster, more light-hearted tracks and some other soft ballads. “Growing Pains” is a track that has a sad tone at first but breaks into a lighter chorus which works with the more energetic mood of the song. Another song that stands out is “Loser” which has a more laid back feel to it. While a moment can’t speak, I can say that you should get this album.
Monica Harvey - Imprint- University of Waterloo newspaper (Feb 1, 2008)