SOCIALS
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Mastodon: https://mstdn.ca/@BenjaminRussell
Bandcamp: https://benjaminrussell.bandcamp.com/music
Website: https://www.benjamin-russell.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mtl_bar
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BenjaminRussellMusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bar.mtl.poetry/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/tcbemusic
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/benjaminrussell.bsky.social
Mastodon: https://mstdn.ca/@BenjaminRussell
Bandcamp: https://benjaminrussell.bandcamp.com/music
Website: https://www.benjamin-russell.com
FCC CLEAN
CANCON: 100%
Album: WAVES
UPC: 198999547207
Genre: Electronic Rock Pop
Artist: Benjamin Russell
Record Label: TCBE Records
Release Date: February 5, 2025
BANDCAMP: pre-order now
Everywhere online February 5.
CANCON: 100%
Album: WAVES
UPC: 198999547207
Genre: Electronic Rock Pop
Artist: Benjamin Russell
Record Label: TCBE Records
Release Date: February 5, 2025
BANDCAMP: pre-order now
Everywhere online February 5.
MUSIC: Benjamin Russell
LYRICS: Elyce and Benjamin Russell
VOCALS: Benjamin Russell
PRODUCED and MIXED: Benjamin Russell
VIDEOS: Elyce and Benjamin Russell
LYRICS: Elyce and Benjamin Russell
VOCALS: Benjamin Russell
PRODUCED and MIXED: Benjamin Russell
VIDEOS: Elyce and Benjamin Russell
INFLUENCES/SOUNDS LIKE:
Yello
Thomas Dolby
Marvin Gaye
Tony Bennett
Yello
Thomas Dolby
Marvin Gaye
Tony Bennett
Ride The Waves!
Picking up from last year's globally successful PLEASURE CENTER album, Benjamin Russell continues pushing the boundaries, the membranes separating genres. Pop, rock, dance, soul, jazz, electro, acoustic, and classical meld together in his electronic playground.
WAVES is more than a collection of singles. It is a total experience, meant to be listened to from beginning to end, while each song is a world of its own. The strength of Russell's songwriting is why every track from PLEASURE CENTER continues to garner airplay around the world.
First and foremost, Benjamin Russell is an artist.
WAVES is more than a collection of singles. It is a total experience, meant to be listened to from beginning to end, while each song is a world of its own. The strength of Russell's songwriting is why every track from PLEASURE CENTER continues to garner airplay around the world.
First and foremost, Benjamin Russell is an artist.
This album has explosive creativity at its heart channeled through Russell's conscious production choices. On his musical palette he placed the colours he envisioned, the sounds, the grooves, the melodies, the simple necessities to bring his words to life.
The cognoscenti of his music understand what he's doing. They have come to expect this. He's at his peak and they can feel it.
The cognoscenti of his music understand what he's doing. They have come to expect this. He's at his peak and they can feel it.
Songs
Subtitle
Special thanks to music author and radio host, Aaron Badgley, for his help with the "sounds like" for each song. Aaron Badgley's website
01 - GENTLE MAN (Energy Mix)
BPM: 124
SOUNDS LIKE: Erasure, Blancmange, Human League
ISRC: CARI82500001
Written by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
BPM: 124
SOUNDS LIKE: Erasure, Blancmange, Human League
ISRC: CARI82500001
Written by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
GENTLE MAN - lyrics by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
I'm a gentle man
I won't hurt you, I wont' make you cry
A gentle guy am I
I'm a gentle man
You can speak and I will understand
A gentle man I am
Don't lead me on
I'm a gentle man (A real gentleman)
I give you everything I got and more
A gentle man for sure
I'm a gentle man and I love you
All the boys talk so tough
And some of it's real, it ain't no bluff
But my attitude's a little different
If I've got a fault, it's good intent
I'm a gentle man
I won't hurt you, I wont' make you cry
A gentle guy am I
I'm a gentle man
You can speak and I will understand
A gentle man I am
Don't lead me on
I'm a gentle man (A real gentleman)
I give you everything I got and more
A gentle man for sure
I'm a gentle man and I love you
All the boys talk so tough
And some of it's real, it ain't no bluff
But my attitude's a little different
If I've got a fault, it's good intent
ABOUT
Ideal for the high intensity part of your aerobic routine, Gentle Man is a synth-fueled pop dance romp that never lets up. There is so much talk of "toxic masculinity", but what about the men who aren't?
Ideal for the high intensity part of your aerobic routine, Gentle Man is a synth-fueled pop dance romp that never lets up. There is so much talk of "toxic masculinity", but what about the men who aren't?
02 - BETTER
BPM: 130
SOUNDS LIKE: Talk Talk, Limahl, Fischer-Z
ISRC: CARI82500002
Written by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
BPM: 130
SOUNDS LIKE: Talk Talk, Limahl, Fischer-Z
ISRC: CARI82500002
Written by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
BETTER lyrics by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
VERSE - It's been raining for days
But the sun's out now
I'm feeling amazed
So good somehow
Been a bit out of phase
But I'm alright now
In so many ways
It's all good - and how!
SETUP - Ev'ry little thing that was wrong
Is now gone, gone, gone
I'm happy now singing this song
Just hope this feeling lasts real long
CHORUS - I think I know why
Things just got better
When you come by
There's a change in the weather
It gets better, better
It's better, better 'n better 'n better
Ev'ry little thing that was wrong
Ev'ry little thing that was wrong
Ev'ry little thing, Ev'ry little thing
Gone gone gone
It's better, better 'n better 'n better
It's better, better 'n better 'n better
CHORUS
ABOUT
Who else would combine a 50's "Turn Around" doo wop track with this kind of synth pop energy, a fiddle and drum machine in this unique blend, while making it sound natural? Russell's fans expect this.
Who else would combine a 50's "Turn Around" doo wop track with this kind of synth pop energy, a fiddle and drum machine in this unique blend, while making it sound natural? Russell's fans expect this.
03 - BLOSSOM (Radio Mix)
BPM: 120
SOUNDS LIKE: Blancmange, Blue Nile
ISRC: CARI82500003
Written by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
Music Video: https://youtu.be/PDl-bwT2Dqc
BPM: 120
SOUNDS LIKE: Blancmange, Blue Nile
ISRC: CARI82500003
Written by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
Music Video: https://youtu.be/PDl-bwT2Dqc
BLOSSOM - lyrics by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
Blossom, you're winsome
You might lose one
But you'll win some
Not half done, or won
Just begun
You will blossom
Blossom, we get on
Yeah and then some
One on, on one, on one, on one
As you blossom
I'm right here with you, Blossom
Waiting till the bees come
They'll lead us back to where they're from
To the honey
It all starts with you, Blossom
The honey, honey
Blossom in freedom
You won't be lonesome
You are welcome
Blossom - yeah come on
Everyone - we'll make it fun
Blossom, you're winsome
You might lose one
But you'll win some
Not half done, or won
Just begun
You will blossom
Blossom, we get on
Yeah and then some
One on, on one, on one, on one
As you blossom
I'm right here with you, Blossom
Waiting till the bees come
They'll lead us back to where they're from
To the honey
It all starts with you, Blossom
The honey, honey
Blossom in freedom
You won't be lonesome
You are welcome
Blossom - yeah come on
Everyone - we'll make it fun
ABOUT
The soundtrack for the new Beat Generation. If you're looking for the honey, it all starts here.
The soundtrack for the new Beat Generation. If you're looking for the honey, it all starts here.
04 - ONE STEP (The Time Is Now Mix)
BPM: 124
SOUNDS LIKE: Harmonium, Marvin Gaye, Brian Wilson
ISRC: CARI82500004
Written by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
BPM: 124
SOUNDS LIKE: Harmonium, Marvin Gaye, Brian Wilson
ISRC: CARI82500004
Written by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
ABOUT
Yeah, the world can be a shitty place right now. This is a flower growing out of the polarized confrontational pile. Could you be a flower too?
Yeah, the world can be a shitty place right now. This is a flower growing out of the polarized confrontational pile. Could you be a flower too?
ONE STEP - lyrics by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
Yesterday was another day
Waiting for the world to change
Tried to rearrange
All the pieces in my life
Sometimes it brings me down
All the pushing, shoving and the strife
That's not real life
Not the way it should be
It's so plain to me
And I can't understand it
How we get so underhanded
Making everyone unhappy
When we could be laughing and singing
And sharing our love
It's just a matter of time
One step at a time
I know things won't change
Just because we want them to
It's up to me and you
To give it a start right here in our heart
And yes, I feel a call
I see the writing on the wall
In letters 10 feet tall
The door is open - we're gonna walk right in
It's just a matter of time
The time and place is now
Keep on wondering why
But I'm sure somehow
That my prayer will be answered
It's being answered now
One step at a time...
Yesterday was another day
Waiting for the world to change
Tried to rearrange
All the pieces in my life
Sometimes it brings me down
All the pushing, shoving and the strife
That's not real life
Not the way it should be
It's so plain to me
And I can't understand it
How we get so underhanded
Making everyone unhappy
When we could be laughing and singing
And sharing our love
It's just a matter of time
One step at a time
I know things won't change
Just because we want them to
It's up to me and you
To give it a start right here in our heart
And yes, I feel a call
I see the writing on the wall
In letters 10 feet tall
The door is open - we're gonna walk right in
It's just a matter of time
The time and place is now
Keep on wondering why
But I'm sure somehow
That my prayer will be answered
It's being answered now
One step at a time...
05 - WAVES
BPM: 140
SOUNDS LIKE: Beatles, David Bowie, Culture Club
ISRC: CARI82500005
Written by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
Music Video: COMING SOON
BPM: 140
SOUNDS LIKE: Beatles, David Bowie, Culture Club
ISRC: CARI82500005
Written by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
Music Video: COMING SOON
WAVES - lyrics by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
Once there was a river and it fled to the sea
Down from the mountain it followed me
First it was a trickle and then it was a stream
It merged, as you merged with me
(The) shore is a border, its cliffs and beach
Form the edge of human reach
One from all and all from each
The verge, the verge we breach
(The) waves come crashing in
Get under our skin
(They) make it hard to begin
Again and again
But we begin, we begin, we begin
Out beyond the horizon line
The waves run deep, whether foul or fine
It’s no longer yours or mine
We merge, we merge, in time
Waves can be gentle too
Soothe me and you
Rock me and you
Waves
Once there was a river and it fled to the sea
Down from the mountain it followed me
First it was a trickle and then it was a stream
It merged, as you merged with me
(The) shore is a border, its cliffs and beach
Form the edge of human reach
One from all and all from each
The verge, the verge we breach
(The) waves come crashing in
Get under our skin
(They) make it hard to begin
Again and again
But we begin, we begin, we begin
Out beyond the horizon line
The waves run deep, whether foul or fine
It’s no longer yours or mine
We merge, we merge, in time
Waves can be gentle too
Soothe me and you
Rock me and you
Waves
ABOUT
What happens when Virginia Woolf meets a sea shanty in Benjamin Russell's electronic playground? This is it.
What happens when Virginia Woolf meets a sea shanty in Benjamin Russell's electronic playground? This is it.
06 - I DEPEND ON YOU
BPM: 90
SOUNDS LIKE: Jean Michael Jarre, Hall and Oates, Tony Bennett
ISRC: CARI82500006
Written by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
BPM: 90
SOUNDS LIKE: Jean Michael Jarre, Hall and Oates, Tony Bennett
ISRC: CARI82500006
Written by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
I DEPEND ON YOU - lyrics by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
You are human and I love you
I don't mind your imperfections
They endear you
I feel warm when we're together
And we share a laugh or too
I depend on you
I get lonely when you leave me
I understand that you've got things to do
But I miss you
I get busy and I do all
The things you need me to
I take care of you
I am your confident
You know you're safe with me
I just want you to be happy
That's enough for me
I am your caretaker
I fill your every need
Being with you makes me happy
My voice your harmony
You are human and I love you
You look past all my perfections
Don't you
I see you sometimes now and then
And we share a tear or two
You depend on me and
I depend on you
You are human and I love you
I don't mind your imperfections
They endear you
I feel warm when we're together
And we share a laugh or too
I depend on you
I get lonely when you leave me
I understand that you've got things to do
But I miss you
I get busy and I do all
The things you need me to
I take care of you
I am your confident
You know you're safe with me
I just want you to be happy
That's enough for me
I am your caretaker
I fill your every need
Being with you makes me happy
My voice your harmony
You are human and I love you
You look past all my perfections
Don't you
I see you sometimes now and then
And we share a tear or two
You depend on me and
I depend on you
ABOUT
Picture a figure standing in a darkened room by the window, looking out into the rain wet night. A lonely house-bot yearns for their human to come home...
Picture a figure standing in a darkened room by the window, looking out into the rain wet night. A lonely house-bot yearns for their human to come home...
07 - NOT BLUE
BPM: 75
SOUNDS LIKE: Jean Michael Jarre, Hall and Oates, Marvin Gaye
ISRC: CARI82500007
Written by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
BPM: 75
SOUNDS LIKE: Jean Michael Jarre, Hall and Oates, Marvin Gaye
ISRC: CARI82500007
Written by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
NOT BLUE - lyrics by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
I feel sick with a bug
That I catch without you
I feel blue
Remedy - you fix me
When I’m with you
I feel good (so good)
Not blue
Juxtaposed, the extreme
Nightmare scare or good dream
No between
When we touch as we should
When together
I feel good (so good)
Not blue
Now I see the bright side and it’s the right side
I’m grateful for this day
In the morning sunlight and at night
You keep the fear at bay
So please... always stay
... never go away
SOLO
Now I see the bright side and it’s the right side
I’m grateful for this day
Not blue
I feel sick with a bug
That I catch without you
I feel blue
Remedy - you fix me
When I’m with you
I feel good (so good)
Not blue
Juxtaposed, the extreme
Nightmare scare or good dream
No between
When we touch as we should
When together
I feel good (so good)
Not blue
Now I see the bright side and it’s the right side
I’m grateful for this day
In the morning sunlight and at night
You keep the fear at bay
So please... always stay
... never go away
SOLO
Now I see the bright side and it’s the right side
I’m grateful for this day
Not blue
ABOUT
In a dream, Benjamin Russell asked Miles Davis to sit in on the session. When he woke, he called on his synthesizer to evoke Davis' ghost instead. Does that make this ballad "jazz"? The music analyzing algorithm suggested "hip hop", but Russell thinks smooth electro pop is closer. See if you can feel the spirits of Miles Davis and Marvin Gaye in the mix.
In a dream, Benjamin Russell asked Miles Davis to sit in on the session. When he woke, he called on his synthesizer to evoke Davis' ghost instead. Does that make this ballad "jazz"? The music analyzing algorithm suggested "hip hop", but Russell thinks smooth electro pop is closer. See if you can feel the spirits of Miles Davis and Marvin Gaye in the mix.
08 - SEEING TRAILS (Sky Mix)
BPM: 140
SOUNDS LIKE: David Bowie, Sparks, Devon
ISRC: CARI82500008
Written by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
BPM: 140
SOUNDS LIKE: David Bowie, Sparks, Devon
ISRC: CARI82500008
Written by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
ABOUT
For not the first time, Russell brings his western sensibilities to the electronic playground. Is this a flashback or one of those deja vu moments? Hey, whatever it is, it's fun!
For not the first time, Russell brings his western sensibilities to the electronic playground. Is this a flashback or one of those deja vu moments? Hey, whatever it is, it's fun!
SEEING TRAILS - lyrics by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
I came awake upon the sidewalk in the middle of a sentence
I was speaking to you
Did you see the flicker in my eye?
I felt dazed for a moment or two
I started flashing back upon the times
When I thought I had an angle on something that is true
But I kept right on talking with you
Seeing trails in the middle of the day
The flicker and the shadows
While I’ll thinking what to say - hey, hey, hey
At the centre of a winter plain the ground and sky are endless,
an unbroken field of white
And it’s hard to see the foot prints
Even when I squint my eyes up real tight
Are they leading east or west?
Do they go there and return?
Ah, the end is out of sight
If I follow, will I get it right?
Seeing trails…
To beat a retreat well it isn't defeat
If you beat a path to my door
Swords getting beat follows victory sweet
If you know the score
You just gotta know what for
And I'm not sure any more
I started flashing back upon the times
When I thought I had an angle on something that is true
But I kept right on talking with you
Seeing trails…
I came awake upon the sidewalk in the middle of a sentence
I was speaking to you
Did you see the flicker in my eye?
I felt dazed for a moment or two
I started flashing back upon the times
When I thought I had an angle on something that is true
But I kept right on talking with you
Seeing trails in the middle of the day
The flicker and the shadows
While I’ll thinking what to say - hey, hey, hey
At the centre of a winter plain the ground and sky are endless,
an unbroken field of white
And it’s hard to see the foot prints
Even when I squint my eyes up real tight
Are they leading east or west?
Do they go there and return?
Ah, the end is out of sight
If I follow, will I get it right?
Seeing trails…
To beat a retreat well it isn't defeat
If you beat a path to my door
Swords getting beat follows victory sweet
If you know the score
You just gotta know what for
And I'm not sure any more
I started flashing back upon the times
When I thought I had an angle on something that is true
But I kept right on talking with you
Seeing trails…
09 - PERILOUS MOMENT
BPM: 120
SOUNDS LIKE: Rick Wakeman, Yes, ELP
ISRC: CARI82500009
Written by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
BPM: 120
SOUNDS LIKE: Rick Wakeman, Yes, ELP
ISRC: CARI82500009
Written by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
PERILOUS MOMENT - lyrics by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
You think you got what you wanted
You don't need me any more
Right now, your heart is broken
'Cause a piece broke off where I
Was before
You think you are the controller
But it's not a game you play
And you can't reset the future
Unless you do it now,
Today
We live each moment as it comes
And each one comes but once
And this is a perilous moment
A perilous moment
You thought you were being clever
But you didn't know the cost
Now it's gone forever
And what you thought you won
Is lost
You think you got what you wanted
You don't need me any more
Right now, your heart is broken
'Cause a piece broke off where I
Was before
You think you are the controller
But it's not a game you play
And you can't reset the future
Unless you do it now,
Today
We live each moment as it comes
And each one comes but once
And this is a perilous moment
A perilous moment
You thought you were being clever
But you didn't know the cost
Now it's gone forever
And what you thought you won
Is lost
ABOUT
Time is precious. Each moment comes but once and you can't reset the future unless you do it now. There are two kinds of broken hearts. Those who callously break the hearts of others have a piece missing from their own.
Time is precious. Each moment comes but once and you can't reset the future unless you do it now. There are two kinds of broken hearts. Those who callously break the hearts of others have a piece missing from their own.
10 - HIGH ROAD
BPM: 80
SOUNDS LIKE: Men Without Hats, Roy Orbison, Pet Shop Boys
ISRC: CARI82500010
Written by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
BPM: 80
SOUNDS LIKE: Men Without Hats, Roy Orbison, Pet Shop Boys
ISRC: CARI82500010
Written by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
ABOUT
A hymn to Benjamin Russell's stubborn DIY indie credo. It takes courage to find your own path but it can be rewarding. Happy trails!
A hymn to Benjamin Russell's stubborn DIY indie credo. It takes courage to find your own path but it can be rewarding. Happy trails!
HIGH ROAD - lyrics by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
You took the high road
And it's such a long way
But you never gave in
Not inside you, anyway
Like a cowboy
Riding a lonely track
Crossing over a high ridge
You're not thinking to look back
You know it could have been
A big mistake
But you listened to your heart and it
Didn't break
You made the choice
You didn't stay
That dead end place is gone now
You're on your way
Chorus
High road - you're riding on the high road
Heading for a place - you can call your own
You're on the high road
You know you're not alone
You're on the high road home
It is the only
Way you know how to be
Broke the bonds that kept you down
And now you're finally free
Chorus...
You took the high road
And it's such a long way
But you never gave in
Not inside you, anyway
Like a cowboy
Riding a lonely track
Crossing over a high ridge
You're not thinking to look back
You know it could have been
A big mistake
But you listened to your heart and it
Didn't break
You made the choice
You didn't stay
That dead end place is gone now
You're on your way
Chorus
High road - you're riding on the high road
Heading for a place - you can call your own
You're on the high road
You know you're not alone
You're on the high road home
It is the only
Way you know how to be
Broke the bonds that kept you down
And now you're finally free
Chorus...
11 - BLOSSOM (Club Mix)
BPM: 120
SOUNDS LIKE: Blancmange, Blue Nile
ISRC: CARI82500011
Written by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
BPM: 120
SOUNDS LIKE: Blancmange, Blue Nile
ISRC: CARI82500011
Written by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
BLOSSOM - lyrics by Elyce and Benjamin Russell
Blossom, you're winsome
You might lose one
But you'll win some
Not half done, or won
Just begun
You will blossom
Blossom, we get on
Yeah and then some
One on, on one, on one, on one
As you blossom
I'm right here with you, Blossom
Waiting till the bees come
They'll lead us back to where they're from
To the honey
It all starts with you, Blossom
The honey, honey
Blossom in freedom
You won't be lonesome
You are welcome
Blossom - yeah come on
Everyone - we'll make it fun
Blossom, you're winsome
You might lose one
But you'll win some
Not half done, or won
Just begun
You will blossom
Blossom, we get on
Yeah and then some
One on, on one, on one, on one
As you blossom
I'm right here with you, Blossom
Waiting till the bees come
They'll lead us back to where they're from
To the honey
It all starts with you, Blossom
The honey, honey
Blossom in freedom
You won't be lonesome
You are welcome
Blossom - yeah come on
Everyone - we'll make it fun
ABOUT
The soundtrack for the new Beat Generation. If you're looking for the honey, it all starts here.
The soundtrack for the new Beat Generation. If you're looking for the honey, it all starts here.
12 - MOLTO
BPM: 60
SOUNDS LIKE: Dvorak, A Far Cry, Golijov
ISRC: CARI82500012
Composed by Benjamin Russell
BPM: 60
SOUNDS LIKE: Dvorak, A Far Cry, Golijov
ISRC: CARI82500012
Composed by Benjamin Russell
ABOUT
A string quartet composed to scratch Benjamin Russell's classical music itch.
A string quartet composed to scratch Benjamin Russell's classical music itch.