AOTW: Benjy Ferree - "Come Back to the Five and Dime, Bobby Dee Bobby Dee"

Executive decision: If either Audra or I go to a concert, the Album of the Week will highlight that artist. Wednesday night, Benjy Ferree is playing at the Drunken Unicorn in Atlanta, and although he isn't getting top billing (that goes to The Black Hollies), his Come Back to the Five and Dime, Bobby Dee Bobby Dee makes it worth the trip.

If you're interested in the source material for the album, then you can read about "Bobby Dee," aka, Bobby Driscoll at our favorite research source. Essentially, Driscoll, a baby-faced Disney child star struggled through adolescence, turned to drugs, and eventually died young. An E! True Hollywood Story if there ever was one (and maybe Lindsay Lohan should take notice). As far as central characters go, few are as compelling, and Ferree tackles him with focused intensity. For those of us unfamiliar with Driscoll, many of the references are lost. But that doesn't mean the music is bad. Album highlight "Fear" is both beautiful and haunting, and it resonates well after the first (or 40th) listen. The themes and characters flow easily into and out of the album, and after a few listens, some of Driscoll's story starts coming through.

Albums with themes and story arcs are clearly nothing new, but Come Back to the Five and Dime is surely one of the best in the past few years.