Ben Folds Five - Ben Folds Five
|
List Price: Our Price: $9.00 You Save: $2.90 (24%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $2.06 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for Ben Folds Five
Free Music Review: Voice For Those With No Voice
Hit: 5 Stars
The measure of great writers/musicians is to write about timeless themes that appeal to a wide audience. Ben Folds Five does this, and it does not solely rest on the power of the lyrics. The music marches in beat to the poignant criticism on pockets of society that Ben Folds offers - whether that be through sarcasm, insult or plea.
The theme that seems to run constant through the voice on each track is one of finding identity. No clearer is it than on "The Best Imitation of Myself." Ben's voice struggles with walking that fine line of being an individual and being accepted by others who might not appreciate that which makes him an indivdual. His line: "Maybe I'm thinking/Myself in a hole/Wonderin who I am/When I oughta know/Straighten up now/Time to go/Fool somebody else/Fool somebody else" certainly begins confident, but descends into a crying plea to himself with uncertainty.
It seems that those are the voices that reappear in the tracks of this album - which is really everyone at some point in life. Are we not all really looking for acceptance without selling ourselves out?
Nevermore does this feel more relevant than as a thirtysomething corporate professional enclosed in a cubicle wondering how that English degree translated to this - which isn't that far from the twentysomething soon to be graduating from college student wondering where all his friends have gone to which is not that far from that young mother wondering where her career went - all the while all of them trying to hang on to a piece of what they thought they were/are. All of these people wonder to where their dreams disappeared. Yes, Ben Folds themes speak to the choices we make or do not make as we lament them.
Sounds uplifting, right? Well, that's just it. There's no reason to grieve, because BFF finds a way to celebrate the conflict and allows for us to realize that the only thing that need accept us is us. And as we listen to a Ben Folds that matures, we see the groundwork that was laid in this self-titled album is that perhaps he realized early on that the dreams that we lose are replaced by others for us to obtain - and that's the celebration.
Free Music Review: The voice of a generation
Hit: 5 Stars
I haven't really come across many artists or a paticular style that could define the current teens through early twenties generation, but Ben Folds can. He takes his listeners through the problems and challenges of growing up in a fun and creative way. Break up's, drunken mistakes, getting stuck with the uncle who tells BS stories, all can be found here. Lyrically there's always something for you. He keeps the album fun.
By the way, don't forget that this guy is absolutely ridiculous on the piano. I discovered Ben about 2 years ago, and he still never ceases to amaze me on how well he plays. He can play at insane speeds with catchy tunes. It's a completely different sound from the guitar dominated pop/rock scene. It's a cool sound.
This is the first album from Ben Folds Five, and while thier hit cd is "Whatever and Ever Amen" this cd i believe is equally as good. This is also the most raw album from BBF , and that's why it is my current favorite. I think now that Ben Folds is a solo artist he lost some of the lightheartedness that he has in this album. "Rocking the Suburbs" is also a great album that has a beautiful sound ,but it's a heavier sound.
Some highlights: Jackson Cannery (a great opener)
Philosophy
Julianne (funny and prolly the best song)
Best imitation of myself
Uncle Walter
Boxing ( a commentary between Mohammed Ali and Howard Cosell, which brings the cd to a proper ending)
Ben Folds is the perfect combination of lyrical, brillance and writing talent, combined with a great musical ability. He's one of the current best.
Free Music Review: BEN MAKE-A ME CRY
Hit: 5 Stars
This CD is an incredible wonder, from a band who was underappreciated by all the fans of "Brick", which is by far from the Five's best song. I heard "underground" on the radio sometime in 96 and tracked them down for the next year. Thanks to a helpful lyric by Adam Duritz of Counting Crows ("I got Ben Folds on my radio right now"--Monkey, from Recovering the Satellites) my friend decided if Ben was good enough for Adam, he was good enough for us too, and bought the CD having never before heard it. When I realized I had found the band behind "underground" my friend must have thought I was having a seizure.It took me a week for him to let me borrow it. I still remember sitting in bed trying to go to sleep as I listened, and being absolutely still so that I could hear the lyrics. By the time I reached "The Last Polka" and "Boxing" I was so far from sleep I was practically stuck to the ceiling. Adam may have made a mistake, as my favorite band soon switched to Ben and crew.
The reasons Ben Folds Five are so great:
1. The call themselves five, when there are only three. (Ha!) 2. They have no lead guitar, and head out with a totally original line up of only piano, drums, and bass. 3. The lyrics are golden-way too quotable. 4. The swing songs (Sports and Wine, Steven's Last Night in Town) are as impressive as the ballads (Boxing, Selfless, Mess, etc.), a feat rarely accomplished. 5. Ben's voice could tame a German Shepard.
If you have never experienced Ben Folds Five, this CD is the least professional (concerning studio recording quality), but also the most hearful, and my personal favorite.
Free Music Review: A Benchmark for Our Generation's Music.
Hit: 5 Stars
This is an album of deceptively straightforward craft, especially in light of BFF's progressively slowing tempo and darkening mood in its later two albums. By comparison to "Forever and Ever Amen" and "...Messner", the tunes on BFF's debut seem almost perky and upbeat, but a careful listen will reveal primal shouts of pride, defiance, and vulnerability in Ben Folds' ironic yet heartfelt lyrics. Ben Folds' piano viruosity should be a real kick in the groin to the supposed pop masters of that instrument, whether they be Joel, John and Newman (to whom he has frequently been compared) or newer stylists like Amos or Apple. The difference here is the package -- all three members display a true ear and a brazen self-confidence, and a willingness to sharpen pop into a scalpel. One can enjoy the album for its music, which is formidable and sticks in the brain (the "Rhapsody in Blue" take-off in "Philosophy"?), the vocal arrangements (the falsetto accompaniment in "Underground," the brash yet lush harmony in "Where's Summer B?"), and certainly for the lyrics, which turn more than a phrase. I find myself playing this album when I am happy, and playing it when I am sad. The later expansion of BFF's songcraft into ever more personal lyrics and more subtle arrangements takes nothing away from this brazen, finger in your face, heart on your sleeve opening wail from this truly talented band of brothers. Here's hoping they never take a class to lose their Southern accents.Free Music Review: Absolutely Fabulous Album!
Hit: 5 Stars
My only complaint about this album is that it took me so long to discover it! I can't bear to think of the years I wasted passing off Ben Folds Five as an average pop band before I actually bothered to go out and buy their albums. Of course, this CD (like any) is not for everyone, but for me, the combination of their unique sound paired with intelligent and witty lyrics set atop catchy yet beautiful melodies makes me want to listen to this album over and over again! This album has all the makings of a great pop record but unlike most 'pop' bands, each member of Ben Folds Five showcases an extraordinary talent on their instrument. This is probably my favourite Ben Folds Five album, although I would also highly reccomend their others 2, especially Whatever and Ever Amen. Ben Folds' solo stuff is good too. As for this album, my favourite songs are Where's Summer B., Best Imitation of Myself, Philosophy, Jackson Cannery, The Last Polka, and Sports & Wine. I realize that is a lot of favourite songs, but this is one of those rare albums that makes it so hard to choose!