“Vestiges” (LP) by Benjamin James Howard

“It is me and it is not me,” states Benjamin James Howard, when referring to “Vestiges,” a 10-track album which serves as his first complete work as a solo act. “This is essentially a cover album—an artist pushing forty playing material he mostly wrote at half his age.”

Howard was a front-man of Cincinnati-based rock groups Bottom Line and Pluto Revolts, the former notoriously reaching major-label status in the mid-2000s before stifling label mergers indefinitely shelved their masters. “Vestiges” reclaims selections of Howard’s contribution to that fateful Maverick/Warner record, while also shedding light on other unexplored corners of his songbook.

What “Vestiges” aims to achieve is reconciliation with the past, in both practice and concept. The album provides a literal home (or rather, resting place) for songs that never quite fit the mold of Howard’s past projects, while also serving as a reliquary for the musings of his younger self. Stylistically, there are equally bright and poppy songs intermixed with somber, emotional ballads—all performed acoustically. The album is meant to feel as confident as it is vulnerable, with lyrical topics ranging from self-assurance to self-doubt; from burgeoning love to parental divorce. However, any pessimism on display is always laced with a degree of optimism.

 

All songs Produced by BJH
All songs Engineered, Mixed and Mastered by Mitch Wyatt
Additional Engineering by BJH

Vestiges cover photo by Libby Danforth
Artist photos by Taylor Malikowski and Libby Danforth
Vestiges Cover Design and Layout by Taylor Malikowski

 

All songs Music and Lyrics by Benjamin James Howard (BMI)

 

1. “Ashamed” (VIEW THE ASHAMED MUSIC VIDEO HERE)
Vocals and Guitar by BJH
Additional Vocals by Gavin Mitchell

 

2. “Heavy” (VIEW THE HEAVY MUSIC VIDEO HERE)
Vocals, Guitar and Piano by BJH

 

3. “Parody”
Vocals, Guitar and Arrangements by BJH
Additional Guitar and Vocals by Dan Kinzie

 

4. “Locked” (VIEW THE LOCKED MUSIC VIDEO HERE)
Vocals and Guitar by BJH
Additional Vocals by Maria Carrelli

 

5. “Rhythm”
Vocals and Guitar by BJH
Additional Vocals by Dan Kinzie and Gavin Mitchell

 

6. “The Time Is Now”
Vocals, Guitar, Piano and Arrangements by BJH
Additional Engineering by Scott Wambach

 

7. “Survive This Divide”
Vocals and Guitar by BJH

 

8. “Trouble”
Vocals and Guitar by BJH

 

9 “Silverlined”
Vocals, Guitar and Arrangements by BJH

 

10. “Perfect Tragedy”
Vocals, Guitar and Arrangements by BJH
Piano by Tim Smile
Additional Vocals by Mitch Wyatt and Gavin Mitchell