Benjy Ferree, 'Come Back to the Five and Dime Bobby Dee Bobby Dee' (Domino)

Rootsy song cycle honors sad demise of Disney child star.

By Josh Modell 01.25.09 6:08 PM

Benjy Ferree either worships Jack White or just happens to interpret remarkably similar influences -- Queen, Zeppelin, T. Rex, Delta blues -- in remarkably similar ways. On the D.C. rocker's second album, the sonic parallels (especially in the vocals) are almost jarring. Ferree even shares White's sepia-toned nostalgia: Bobby Dee is a loose concept disc about '40s child star Bobby Driscoll. But with songs as strong as bluesy snarler "Great Scott!," the gospel-leaning "Fear," and stomp-along "Tired of Being Good," the musical debts are easier to forgive, if not ignore.