Review #One - Ben Folds Five's Self-Titled Pot of Amazingness

Well a friend of mine who is also a big Ben Folds fan suggested for my first little review I do something old, and Ben Folds. So, of course, I did.

Settled on Ben Fold's Five self-titled album.

I tried to be as unbiased as possible...

Ben Folds Five
Ben Folds Five
4.5 out of 5

I look hesitantly at the large black disc sitting in front of me. It's been a while since I actually listened to the record, but when I write these things I enjoy listening to the real thing, if I can.

Finally I decided it was time, and popped the baby in. It took a moment before I realized that A) I was stupid and B) the record player wasn't plugged in.

Finally, I'm ready to go, and the needle scratches its way into the first song on the album, Jackson Cannery. I now realize that staying unbiased is going to be hard. See, this is one of my favorite albums ever. And maybe it is just that good. It probably is. But that doesn't keep me from worrying.

That age-old question (that I recently solved) that traditionally pops into a person's head when they hear this song wavered on the edge of my thoughts-- "Who the hell is Jackson Cannery?" In truth, the song is about a fellow Folds knew that just picked up all his things and took off for Ireland, looking for U2. My oh my. The song itself is fun (like most of the album), and the upbeat melodies that rock us from the beginning of this song to the end of the album are already apparent.

Philosophy's a great song, setting us up with one of the earliest examples of the band's (and Ben's) awesome musical preludes. Julianne's another of the fun songs, and one of the band's many off-hilter loud rocky-songs. Hell yeah, rock on.

Two tracks later and I'm once again introduced to Ms. Alice Childress. The slowest song so far, and by far the most meaningful. There's a lot more emotion in the lyrics, the music, everything. I could go on for hours about this song-- but the humming bit at @ 3:56 screams for attention.

Listen folks. People hum. Sure. But nobody can hum a tune and make it sound so damn sexy. Gosh. And his voice in general is spectacular-- so much more dynamic than other artists today. Go 'head, Ben Folds.

We're handed more fun songs, including The Last Polka, which is just plain amazing.

Suffice it to say this album makes me smile. +8 to all of their rolls for making fun of the hipster/indie scene.

Guffaw.

~Justin


So sorry-- that wasn't very reviewish, very praisish. Next one will be actual critique. I promise. :D