Brendan Benson - Lapalco

His debut album, 1996’s One Mississippi, was hailed by Esquire magazine as among “the greatest overlooked pop masterpieces of the decade.” So why have most of us never heard of Brendan Benson? Blame it on an indifferent record company and a contractual struggle that handcuffed the Detroit-born singer-songwriter. Now signed to a new label, Benson is clearly happy: joy is the predominant emotion filling this jangly, melodic gem of an album. Check out infectious songs like “Tiny Spark” and the anthemic “Folk Singer” for pure power-pop pleasure.