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Ben Folds - Way to Normal
- Ben Folds has had a lot of success singing about satire and sarcasm of everyday life. Way to Normal is not a normal CD; some fans of Ben Folds may be confused, looking for the Ben Folds from Songs for Silverman or even Supersunnyspeedgraphic. This album is faster, more experimental, and a little spastic.
I was quite impressed by the audacity of the album. Although each track is aurally different from the next, the lyrics and piano are the glue that holds this album together. There is a degree of experimentation of the Ben Folds sound in each of the tracks, from the synthesizers used in “The Frown Song” to the odd use of the keyboard in “Free Coffee.” There's a part of me that is disappointed that the first track, “Hiroshima,” has a live sound to it, but I understand the connection to Elton John's “Bennie and the Jets,” since that also had a live sound to it. “You Don’t Know Me,” a song featuring Regina Spektor, may have been more interesting as a duet instead of Spektor singing in the background. The song is lighthearted and would fit better on a Spektor album.
I love the lyrics of “Bitch Went Nuts.” Clearly the crude language may turn off some, but Ben Folds has a very “everyman” lyrical style; it's something that I applaud that he can get away with some literal everyday anger. The best use of crudeness comes from “Effington,” which has such a great message about how everyday life can be in a small town.
The classic Ben Folds sound comes from “Cologne,” which has that similarity to his former hits, “Landed” and “Brick.” The purity of the instruments makes the whole story of Lisa Nowak (she was involved in the whole Nasa - Adult Diaper story) poignant and in a very odd way, relatable. It becomes a grand love story about not wanting to let go. The placement in the middle of the album makes anyone want to keep listening to the rest of the album.
The album on a whole may be a bit experimental for some, but this album shows a lot of growth in Ben Folds. Past all the experimentation there is still the “Ben Folds” writing style and piano playing. The lyrics of many of the songs are interesting, but depending on your taste level there may be childish moments on the album. If you are a purist for old Ben Folds, download “Cologne” and possibly “Kylie from Connecticut.” The rest of the album is a departure into interesting territory.
Reviewer: Michael Pascua
new
Reviewer's Rating: 8
Reader's Rating: 9.00
Reader's Votes: 1
Added: 17-Nov-2008
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