Ben Kweller, with My Morning Jacket and Little T & One Track Mike

Jennifer Mathieu July 11, 2002 4:00AM

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Does the universe really need another scruffy yet nerdy boy in his early twenties strumming his guitar and singing about his girlfriend? When the boy is Ben Kweller, the answer is yes. Sha Sha, the debut album by this homegrown Texan (he's from Greenville, an hour northeast of Dallas), is full of intelligent power-pop with a healthy sprinkle of angst. Highlights include the can't-get-it-out-of-your-head "Wasted and Ready" and the sing-along "Commerce, TX." Then, of course, there's the love song/tribute to his lady Liz in the song "Lizzy," where he compares his woman to a cat -- but in a good way.