Song of the Day: Benjamin Booker - Violent Shiver

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on The Midday Show with Cheryl Waters, is “Violent Shiver” by Benjamin Booker from his 2014 self-titled album on ATO Records.

Benjamin Booker - Violent Shiver (MP3)

Benjamin Booker is on a tear. The Florida raised, New Orleans based singer-songwriter may have just released his self-titled debut only two days ago, but he's already hit the late night circuit, wowed audiences at festivals like Lollapalooza and Newport, converted fans as tour opener for Jack White, and is touted by just about every tastemaker you can think of: Spin, Rolling Stone, The New York Times, NPR, GQ, Vice and too many others to list. Still, what everyone else loves has never been a determining factor for KEXP listeners and DJs. What we can't get enough of is Benjamin Booker's gritty blend of garage, punk, rockabilly and blues, a sound that's too unhinged to be straight retro revival and too reverent to be disposable. Booker’s vocals, recalling but not yet as nicotine- and booze-stained as Howlin' Wolf's, are just raspy enough to roughen his tight, wicked licks and punctuate his spiritually troubled lyrics. "Violent Shiver", the album's opening track and first single, sets the tone for what's ahead, with its Chuck Berry-esque boogie opening, the dirty distorted guitars, deafening cymbal crashes, and devil-may-care "woo-oo-oo-oo" choruses. It's a rollicking ride you know you'll want to take to its very end, no matter where that may be.

Benjamin Booker took his Seattle audience for an interesting ride indeed just last week at the Tractor Tavern, but he's still on tour, making his way from the West Coast (San Diego tonight) to the East. Find out where he's headed and look for more music on his website and Facebook page. For now, enjoy today's featured song above and his version of it below as performed live in the KEXP studio: