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Full Review | User Ratings (8) |
| Summary: Despite being not too normal, Ben Folds shows us how to get there and back again. |
Where was Ben Folds going to go for his third record…? If you’re thinking maybe something a little more experimental, then you’d be spot on. What made his two previous records quite successful was not only from the repercussions of Five Folds fans, but also for the fact that piano rock in the early naughties had a place amongst the clash of commercially hungry genres, although it was mainly up to him to come up with the ideas. In addition, Folds isn’t your every day song-writer. He’s complex, and has a fairly interesting life story from which to derive most of his inspirations from, which notably gained much appreciation. These elements tie in with Way to Normal’s eclectic collection of tracks. In these Folds caresses his talents into corners where they do appear undeniably excited but a little uncomfortable at the same time.
At a first glance it seems that the Way to Normal is a step in the right direction for the man (see “The Frown Song”). He could’ve held off the throttle and idled within his genre, but chose wisely to turn a few resounding ideas that never got complete expression on Songs for Silverman into reality. These ideas clock in at around forty minutes, making the album his shortest to date, and interestingly the one that seems to have the least mass. Put it down to the possibility that his musical and lyrical concepts need to sprout much further then what they have here. His experimentations with a few new ideas, such as the noise witnessed in “Free Coffee” is somewhat cursed by a lack of clear style and purpose. In other tracks, a similar effect occurs, although not as immediately recognised, probably because their goodness is there before everything else has decided to catch up; a commonplace that gets above the upper hand of repeated listens.
Perhaps the most engaging and interesting part of the new journey is the terrain of new age like components. It’s an area that he could have (and hopefully still will) considered exploring further. In a mix of George Winston’s pianistic wisdom with Billy Joel’s playful rhythm, Folds expresses two of his most interesting songs to date. If this clean approach on the tracks “Before Cologne/Cologne” and “Kylie from Connecticut” (which thankfully concludes the album well) isn’t enough to steer you in the right path then perhaps this album isn’t for you. On the other hand if you want to hear Folds as he always has been then “Effington”, will surely catch your attention given its joking similarities with a well known Christmas carol. The canned in like sardines duo of “Bitch Went Nuts” and “Brainwascht” might as well morph to become the same track, and the rest can either be there and not. For die hards, the commonalities seen with this and the previous estate of Rockin’ the Suburbs will certainly have a price tag worth considering, for others it’ll have a place amongst the lesser releases for the year.
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| Recent reviews by this author | | |
Album Rating: 2.5
Goddamn people stealing my goddamn reviews. Back to the drawing board for me.
But seriously, I liked the fake leak more than this.
Digging: The Drones - Havilah | | | Album Rating: 3
I thought you were gonna review this. Hahaha.
Digging: King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King | | | Album Rating: 2.5
I added the album to the database, so yeah; was planning on it.
No biggie, I'll find something else.
| | | Album Rating: 3
I haven't heard the leak, but apparently it will be released as a b sides or something like that.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
They're really good. The original version of Cologne is so much better.
| | | Album Rating: 3
I must check it out then.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
Also, I want THIS Ben Folds back:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hZdYKim3hA
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
This is so average.
Digging: Gram Parsons - Grievous Angel | | |
It's really pretty boring.
Digging: The Loved Ones [US] - Build & Burn
| | | Album Rating: 4
I really enjoy this to be honest
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
We're listening.
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I love "The Frown Song" and "You Don't Know Me." But the rest of the album, mmeehhhhhhhhh. Maybe it'll grow.
Digging: Goo Goo Dolls - Dizzy Up The Girl
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I'm rocking the suburbs...
Digging: Dead Kennedys - Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables
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... just like Quiet Riot did"
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
Except Ben was once talented.
| | | Album Rating: 3
I'm hoping this album grows on me more. I've never had this much trouble getting into Ben Folds.
| | | Album Rating: 3
It probably wont, sorry to say.
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