A lot of people disliked Ben Folds latest album. It received mixed reviews and some called it Folds’ worst album. I however, intend to defend it, since I think it to be his best. We see Mr. Folds do some things he hasn’t done before and move outside of his normal sound some, but I think it’s all for the best.
Way To Normal’s opening track stays true to Folds’ upbeat piano romping tunes, and it’s title is one of his more ridiculous. “Hiroshima(B B B Benny Hit His Head)” has a great vibe to it and I’m sure it’s one of his best tracks live. The next track, “Dr. Yang,” is a funny song that shows Folds’ sillier side, and during it’s breakdown we see some of his best piano playing. Then comes The Frown Song, one of the records best, it has strong synths throughout the song, something new for Folds. It’s got great lyrics and while it’s one of his raunchier songs it’s morals could be a lot worse. Some of my favorite Folds lyrics come from The Frown Song. ” Do you remember how we managed before we could afford real nervous breakdowns? Or before the anthropology store was erected on Indian burial grounds? So really don’t you see a little of yourself in the bathroom attendant that you just scowled at, or the child who’s hiding inside as you wipe the smile off the teenage barista.”
Next comes the albums single, “You Don’t Know Me,” which features Regina Spektor singing with Folds. Her vocals add a fresh feel to the song. The next two tracks are the only two on the album I don’t have much to say about, “Before Cologne” and “Cologne” are in my opinion the album’s weakest tracks. The album quickly redeems itself however with “Errant Dog.” A sequel track to Supersunnyspeedgraphic’s “Dog.” It’s just as good, and is one of the funnier tracks the album offers. The next song “Free Coffee” has a very odd sound. When I inquired as to how it was made I discovered that it’s done by placing Altoids tins on top of the pianos strings and then running the feed through a distortion pedal. While it’s a pretty good track it doesn’t compare to most of the album.
The albums last four tracks are all great. “Bitch Went Nuts” is one of the funniest songs and it has great piano work by Folds. It’s songs like this one that keep me loving Folds. There’s a sense of complete love for what he’s doing and you can feel how much fun these songs are to him. The next track “Brainwascht” is sort of corny but so is Folds, so it manages to work. It’s some of bassist Jared Reynolds best work. “Effington” starts with an odd a cappella line before the piano comes in and we hear Folds start on some of the funniest lyrics on the album. There’s a great piano solo towards the middle of this song followed by a reprise of the a cappella line, this time with accompaniment. The albums last track “Kylie From Connecticut” is great. It shows Folds more sentimental side, like we’ve seen in songs like “Still” and “Still Fighting It.”
This album gives me great faith in Folds in the future. I think his career will only get better. I’d reccomend that any fan of Folds go out and pick it up, and if you’ve never heard him check him out.
