Album Review: Benjamin Clementine - "At Least For Now" (7/10)

cover5Benjamin Clementine’s supple timbre and 
unique phrasing assume the spotlight on
 this notable full-length major-label debut album. Rarely does such an affecting vocalist 
surface––even rarer, one with such original 
je ne sais quoi. The formerly homeless 
Londoner’s compositions remain sparse, allowing his unexpected intonations to carry the day with intriguing results. Yet, in the end, it is that very minimalism in combination with his uncommon singing style which makes these songs curiously inaccessible, resulting in an admirable recording that fails to inspire repeated spins. – Andy Kaufmann