It was the cat-poles around the lake at his grandfather's farm that inspired Ben Sollee's debut album, LEARNING TO BEND. The frailty of those awkward looking plants effortlessly leaning in accord with the winds that challenged the strongest of nearby trees is an affecting metaphor for human struggle and perseverance. This idea is central to LEARNING TO BEND. Key tracks include two reactions to the current political landscape, "A Few Honest Words" and an adaptation of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" in which Ben has written updated, politically relevant verses. Other highlights of the album are the playful soul track "How to See the Sun Rise" and the vulnerable yet insistent "It's Not Impossible", where Ben laments the unfortunate status quo that "Boys Don't Cry".