MY LIST: June

June's artist: Ben Folds

Let me take a minute to describe the brilliance of Ben Folds. As mentioned before, Ben Folds and his former band, Ben Folds Five (consisting of 3 members, go figure), was discovered by yours truly via a Counting Crows lyric (back when CC was still artsy-pop) in a song called Monkey, “Got no where but home to go/ Got Ben Folds on my radio right now”, and with publicity like that, I am sure I am not alone. About that time, BFF had just released Whatever and Ever Amen, possible one of the Top 10 albums of all time…all time being my formative lifetime of music listening. However, not to be overlooked is BFF’s self-titled debut album, a masterpiece in its own right. I was recently listening to this album and got to thinking about how each song had a verse that blew my mind away. Later I will share them in list format - I can tell you are excited.

Out of the North Caroline and East Coast clubs, Ben Folds ventured into solo status after his third and final BFF release, The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner. Clearly Ben was the song writing juggernaut behind the band and the departure was much needed. Solo life allowed Ben Folds to spread his wings and control his creativity to avenues not limited by heavy bass or thumping drums. No longer was it necessary to mimic punk acts or bang on the piano with all day enthusiasm. Rockin’ the Suburbs retained many of Folds’ standards of rockin’ piano and personal storytelling, but included ballads of narratives and everyday sadness.

Folds’ live shows have always been sweat producing, awe inspiring, ad-libbed sets that allowed everyone to feel like they were just watching a friend jump on top of a piano, who hasn’t seen one of their friends do that? Stripped down stages, small clubs, and lack of pomp and circumstance that surround most modern day rock stars, a status Folds would rather not self-label, is the key to Folds’ popularity in the sub-pop culture. Ben took to touring solo and released Ben Folds Live, just a man and a piano, with a little audience assisting participation. The album is one of the best live shows you can find by any artist with or without backing.

In recent years, Ben Folds looks to release EP albums consisting of songs-as-he-goes that show his maturing as a musician. He is not afraid to take a risk, including collaboration with William Shatner or movie score composer or rap covers, but most times they pay off while remaining true to himself. So, if you have never checked out Ben Folds, do it now…go ahead…see that video below? Go watch it…now!

Song that will change your life: Best Imitation of Myself
Other tracks that you must listen to: Philosophy, Brick, The Last Polka, Kate, There’s Always Someone Cooler Than You, Bastard, Still Fighting It, Landed, The Luckiest
Hidden Tracks: In Between Days, Song for the Dumped, Battle of Who Could Care Less, Fred Jones, Not the Same, One Down

Lyrics that will blow your mind for Ben Folds Five self-titled debut album:
“Stop the bus/ I wanna be lonely/ when seconds pass slow/ and years go flying by”

“and I dragged you up the stairs/ and I told you to fly/ you were flapping your arms/ you started to cry, you were too high”

“do you think I should take a class to lose my southern accent / did I make me up or make a face till it stuck / I do the best imitation of myself”

“well, she crept back in the house at half past 3 / shook her head to see him snoring in his sleep/ ‘if you really loved me,’ she said / ‘I wouldn’t have to be so mean’”