Reviews
Ben Folds
Songs For Silverman
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Add to del.ico.us.Review Date: 2005-06-19
I have a friend Scott was has always been a fairly hardcore Ben Folds fan. Both as a solo artist, and of course in his more well known band Ben Folds Five. When I heard Scott say he was disappointed with the new album, that was a big black mark against my odds of liking it. However, I gave it some listens anyhow as I was committed to give it a chance and to review it. I can honestly say I do not see why this album is getting such a harsh backlash. I do have a theory though.
Ben Folds first solo album "Rocking In The Suburbs" was a complete departure from Ben Folds Five. Predictably that departure lost a lot of fans, and picked up a few new ones. Those fans that stayed with Ben obviously had a wide taste of music, and were willing to evolve with Ben Folds and not harp on missing the old style of music. You know the fun, rockier sound of Ben Folds Five. In between his two solo discs were a series of E.P's which I will skip over as that is information only the hardest of the hardcores know about. I am not one of those people when it comes to Ben Folds, though I do really like his music. Enter "Songs For Silverman". No longer is this a true solo album, Ben has picked up a new backing band and this album clearly at times is a lot closer to BFF than "Rocking In The Suburbs" was. And this is what in my opinion causes the aforemention backlash.
Deep down many fans are jaded about Ben Folds Five break up, and now that they hear a closer comparison in the music they are bitter that he is doing it without the band. Those expecting a closer follow up to "Rocking The Suburbs" go home empty handed, and those wanting Ben Folds Five are unfulfilled cause it doesn't really sound like a new BFF record either. My problem with this is Ben Folds was Ben Folds Five. He made that music, his piano, his vocals, his lyrics. So if he wants to make more rockier/poppier tunes then why the backlash? This is a really really good album. Filled with quality songs, interesting lyrics, and brilliant piano. The backlash is undeserved in my opinion. On to the songs.
"Bastard" opens up the album, and this song treads closer to the sound you might remember from Ben Folds Five. The song is about the "old bastard" the dad, and the short amount of time before the person saying the old bastard, becomes the old bastard. It is a tongue in cheek kinda song, but the major difference is the fatherly perspective from Ben Folds. The song would be sung to his kid. The piano has a playful bounce, and Ben Folds voice is fun but has just a hint of sadness which gives it a more mature sound than traditional Ben Folds Five. The chorus has a great sing-a-long quality and that is staple of Ben Folds for sure. As is the magnificient work on the piano, a treat throughout the entire album.
Two tracks later "Jesusland" takes home song of the album for me. This song has a kinda whimsical, fantasy land feel to it. Ben Folds sings in a high falsetto, against a some jazzy piano and a soft drumroll. As Ben sings about this tremendous fantasy world he has created called Jesusland. Again the chorus is excellent, and I find myself singing Jesus laaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnddd when it comes on, but i can't raise my voice anywhere near that high causing a bit of a problem for those in the room. This song does not sound like Ben Folds Five. It is a much more sophisticated, bordering on classical pop song. It even has a slight string section to add to the mix.
I think I would have chosen "Landed" as the lead single as well. It has most of the qualities that the album tries to display. A more mature sound, a more polished sound, and yet still very catchy and easy to get into and want to belt out along with Ben on you stereo. The verses are somewhat sad, but the chorus has just enough of an uplifting feel that the song keeps a cautiously happy vibe. It also doesn't hurt that the piano shines more here than any other point of the album.
But you won't find a better example of the change in Ben Folds than on "Gracie". This song is again about fatherhood. A song written to the newborn daughter "Gracie", kinda an explanation of the change he felt at the birth of the daughter, and if you ask me... the song is kinda a time capsule being listened to in the future by the daughter. This isn't tongue-in-cheek, this isn't Ben joking around. This is Ben Folds putting his heart into the lyrics, and really leaving himself out there going for it. I think a lot of people won't appreciate the candor, but I applaude it. Not everyone believes his music holds up, without that playful quality of Ben Folds Five, and I can't understand it. The guy has a great voice, and is maybe the best piano player of our generation. Why can't he do it without the humour??
The major problem with the album is after the first seven songs the album limps to the finish line somewhat. The songs aren't bad by any means, but I clearly enjoy the first half more. If I had to pinpoint the problem, i'd suggest a lack of motivation on the homestretch. Maybe he wasn't as inspired, maybe he felt a need to make more mature sounding songs and establish this as his new style. I don't know. I think it was a mistake. It is entirely possible for Ben Folds to keep to his roots, and mature and expand his music at the same time. It doesn't have to be either/or, it can be and. Ben Folds has the talent to do it.
But you can feel an internal conflict. A debate over which way to go, and it is a serious debate. THen add to that, the fact he likely isn't set for life financially, and needs to establish himself as a solo artist. He likely is being tugged and pulled in a lot of different directions. You can hear that conflict in the album, but what you also cannot possibly deny hearing is a brilliant piano player, with a great voice and a surplus of talent. Who can write any type of song he wants and can adapt to it. I think this is a step in the right direction, despite what anyone else might say. Where does he go from here?
Songs to download: "Bastard", "Jesusland", "Landed", "Give Judy My Notice"
Score: 8.15
I really like the album, I really like the new style. But I would never say I love it, and there is definitely room for improvement. Still most reviews for this album, have been unfairly harsh.
- Dan