Ben Jelen at Frankie's

4/10/2008

Ben Jelen has a message and it's pretty simple: There's only one Earth, so let's take care of it.

On the 28-year-old's second CD, "Ex-Sensitive," he crafts a detailed. multilayered love letter to the planet, filled with warnings, observations, and hope.

The New York-based multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter will show off some of the songs tonight at Frankie's Inner City, 308 Main St., for what he calls the Wreckage Tour.

Working with producer Linda Perry, Jelen's songs are steeped in the production values of '60s pop: sophisticated arrangements and carefully crafted hooks.

Doors open at 7 p.m.; tickets are $10. Opening acts are Luke James, Standard of Living, and Johnny Ackerman.