Benjamin Booker

Guitarist and songwriter Benjamin Booker makes stripped down garage rock that goes back to the most basic elements; he's backed up only with drums from Max Norton, and makes rapid, blink-and-you'll-miss-them rock songs that feel like they last as long as Robert Pollard makes them. Booker claims to be influenced by old school punk bands like Gun Club and T. Rex, although when he throws in a solo, his sound is also reflective of Rough Trade alumni the Strokes and newer garage professors like Ty Seagall. His self-titled debut is well-produced raucousness.