PopTodd Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 My band gets a lot of Ben Folds comparisons, but I've only heard him and his band on the radio. But seeing as how I LIKE what I've heard there, I figure I should probably dig a little deeper. Any fans here? Where would you suggest I start? Thanks for your input. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sean Patrick Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 "Where would you suggest I start?" the internet.ben folds five is better than ben folds. much better. now, at times he just sounds like a tuneful weird al. yuck. the early stuff is where it is at.you kind of sound like the kinks too. that comparison might be better. however, the music sounds a bit midi at times, not natural. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Welsh Rich Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 WELL... I'd start at the beginning... IMO he's not released a strinker yet. So, as Ben Folds Five, start with:Ben Folds FiveWhatever and Ever AmenThe Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner Then solo:Rockin' the SuburbsSongs for Silverman His EP's are worth getting to, though they were collated intoSupersunnyspeedgraphic: The LP All of them are great though! So it doesn't really matter where you start (though Songs for Silverman is a more reflective album and lacks catchy tunes). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
poppydawn Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 The BF5 cover of "Video Killed the Radio Star" rocks my ass off. A few years ago I managed to injure myself while dancing in my kitchen to it. It's just that much fun. Another vote for starting at the beginning. Better yet, see him live. I had a hard time getting into his recorded stuff until I saw him opening for Weezer. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PigSooie Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 "Reinhold Messner" is my favorite of his. I love how the tracks are ordered. It definitely tells a story. He also does a mean cover of "Bitches Ain't Shit". Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ikol Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 I would start with William Shatner's album Has Been. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SarahC Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 I say get the first BFF record. It's great. "Whatever and ever..." is my favorite though. "Song for the Dumped" is amazing. Though really any of the discs are great. Some songs are just ok, but I don't really think there is a Ben Folds song I hate. "Bitches Ain't Shit" cover = my sister and I go all gansta in the truck when we play that song. :-P Quote Link to post Share on other sites
a.miller Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 I really like Whatever and Ever Amen and Rockin' the Suburbs. Both are really cool. I find his later stuff to be a little pretentious and goofy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dmait Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 No question the early stuff. Whatever and Ever Amen is a classic. Those early shows were incredible. The bass and drums made it a rocking piano trio with a lot of humor. After that they lost their luster and he went solo and now sounds like a bad Joe Jackson imitation. They caught lightning in a bottle for about a three-year period. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 I think "Whatever and Ever Amen" is the best Ben Folds Five release, though they're all good (even "Naked Baby Photos", which some folks don't care for). I never bothered with his solo stuff. You can get the BF5 Sessions at West 54 dvd really cheap. It's so excellent seeing those guys play those tunes and making it look so easy...and vintage blue sparkle Slingerland drums...there needs to be a "drool" smiley for that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bobbob1313 Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 I think Songs For Silverman is a great album. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
quarter23cd Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 I liked S/T album but was probably one of the few people who really disliked Whatever and Ever enough that I really haven't listened to anything since. I still spin that first record every once in a while, though. "The Last Polka" just came up on my iPod the other day--I always liked that one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 I think the main reason I like "Whatever..." best is because, aside from hearing a song or two on the radio, the first time I really payed attention to the band was when they played on Sessions. I think "Missing the War" was the first tune, and I was impressed that in addition to their great melodies, they had such a strong sense of dynamics. That goes a long way with me, probably because I played in my high school orchestra. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
isadorah Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 Reinhold Messner and Songs for Silverman one day, when i lived in Nashville, i was having lunch in the cafe at the museum i worked at with other folks, someone looked out the window and said, "hey that guy looks like ben folds." and we all chuckled. then we realized it was ben folds. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DAngerer09 Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 I'd start with the self titled BFF and Whatever. Definitely don't start with Messner. As for solo stuff, Songs for Silverman is a lot more laid back than Rockin' the Suburbs. Also, for anyone who cares, Ben reportedly has started working on his new album in Chicago (ditching his own Nashville studio) and is working with producer Brian Deck (Iron and Wine, Modest Mouse, Josh Ritter). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yermom Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 in Chicago (ditching is own Nashville studio)I wonder why he's not doing it in Nashville? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stickman Posted October 19, 2007 Share Posted October 19, 2007 I ran into him in the airport this summer. He was macking on his girl though so I didn't say hi. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
radiokills Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 i'm listening to him so i thought i'd bring this back. "well i thought about the army, dad said son you're fucking high" excellent Quote Link to post Share on other sites
hardwood floor Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 No question the early stuff. Whatever and Ever Amen is a classic. Those early shows were incredible. The bass and drums made it a rocking piano trio with a lot of humor. After that they lost their luster and he went solo and now sounds like a bad Joe Jackson imitation. They caught lightning in a bottle for about a three-year period. what he said edit - sorry, didn't realize this was a bumped thread Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Knepps Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 I like Songs for silverman a lot. I actually caught him live a few months ago and I had a great time. He was pretty spot on with a bassist and a drummer. Great show. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DAngerer09 Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 Apparently, his still unnamed new album is coming out Sept. 16. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Hollinger. Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 I wanted to get one of these last time he was in Des Moines, but his merch people were not catering to fat dudes and had no shirts bigger than a Large. For shame. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DAngerer09 Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 New album is called "Way To Normal." Here is the Paste article with details and a little interview. One of the songs features a duet with Regina Spektor.http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2008...lease-date.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 I enjoy the musical stylings of Hop On Pop way much more than I enjoy the musical stylings of Ben Folds. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SarahC Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 i saw him a few months ago too. got to meet him before the show, and he was a super guy. really really nice, and honestly i thought he would be an asshole. the show was amazing! he played for nearly 2 hours. we got to see him at a very tiny venue in chattanooga 5 rows back and it was incredible. the new songs he played were great. def go see him if he plays in your area, the only bummer is the steep tickets. $40 a piece. EDIT- i have the I Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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