One Mississippi

• Artist: Brendan Benson
• Rating:
• Release Date: September 03, 1996
• Genre: Rock

Review

Brendan Benson probably knew his time in the majors was doomed even before 1996's One Mississippi came out: he had recorded a full version of this album with producer Jason Falkner that was rejected by Virgin in favor of this more straightforward effort. (Falkner's fingerprints are all over this album regardless; he co-wrote over half of the songs, which sound like a more rocking version of tracks from his own major-label bow, Author Unknown. Several of the Falkner-produced tracks were eventually released by Virgin on the vinyl-only promo Well Fed Boy.) Still, you have to give him credit for trying. An album whose catchiest tune's chorus involves a woman tied to a chair and which opens with a heartfelt song called "Tea" (about the hot beverage, not the outdated slang term for marijuana) is not a record that will set charts afire. That said, Benson's gifts as a tunesmith in the Todd Rundgren-meets-Alex Chilton mode are undeniable; the hooks are plentiful and catchy and his appealingly rough voice puts over the relentlessly smart-alecky lyrics well. There are a couple of duff tracks, but the power pop charms of a song like the snarling "Me Just Purely" mostly make up for occasional blunders like the underwritten "Bird's Eye View." ~ Stewart Mason, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Tea (Lyrics)	Brendan Benson	Brendan Benson	(1:08)
Bird's Eye View (Lyrics)	Brendan Benson	Brendan Benson	(1:28)
Sittin' Pretty (Lyrics)	Jason Falkner, Brendan Benson	Brendan Benson	(2:53)
I'm Blessed	Jason Falkner, Brendan Benson	Brendan Benson	(3:00)
Crosseyed (Lyrics)	Jason Falkner, Brendan Benson	Brendan Benson	(4:22)
Me Just Purely	Jason Falkner, Brendan Benson	Brendan Benson	(2:44)
Got No Secrets	Brendan Benson	Brendan Benson	(3:22)
How 'Bout You	Brendan Benson	Brendan Benson	(3:02)
Emma J (Lyrics)	Brendan Benson	Brendan Benson	(3:49)
Insects Rule (Lyrics)	Jason Falkner, Brendan Benson	Brendan Benson	(3:08)
Maginary Girl (Lyrics)	Brendan Benson	Brendan Benson	(3:06)
House in Virginia	Jason Falkner, Brendan Benson	Brendan Benson	(3:49)
Cherries (Lyrics)	Jason Falkner, Brendan Benson	Brendan Benson	(7:00)

Credits

Ethan Johns (Producer), Marty Main (Bass), Michael Andrews (Bass), Brendan Benson (Vocals (Background)), Tom Legoff (Photography), Michael Andrews (Piano), Woody Saunders (Guitar), Michael Andrews (Organ), Ethan Johns (Vocals (Background)), Michael Andrews (Vocals (Background)), Brendan Benson (Design), Brendan Benson (Producer), Woody Saunders (?), Ethan Johns (Mixing), Dan Burkhart (Photography), Woody Saunders (Trash Cans), Woody Saunders (Vocals (Background)), Ethan Johns (Piano), Jennifer Youngblood (Photography), Brendan Benson (Vocals), Ethan Johns (Organ), Brendan Benson (Guitar), Ethan Johns (Engineer), Jeff Lyons (Design), Woody Saunders (Drums), Michael Andrews (Guitar (Electric)), Ethan Johns (Drums), Ethan Johns (Vocals)

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