Ben Folds - Way to Normal |
New Albums - Rock & Indie Rock Albums |
Written by Administrator |
Ben Folds has built his career, and that of his former band Ben Folds Five, on roaring and powerful piano-based rock with the odd ironic ballad thrown in for good measure. It is hard to imagine that anyone has belted the piano like Ben Folds since the era of Fats Waller and Scott Joplin. This formula works well to a point, but then perhaps becomes a bit wearing, especially on Ben Folds’ more world-hating, heavier tracks. Ben Folds’ down-tempo tunes always strike a chord with you though. New album "Way to Normal" has a pretty even-handed mix of both the hard and soft. Starting in exemplary fashion with the instantly catchy "Hiroshima (B B B Benny Hit His Head)", and moving to "The Frown Song" which is similarly captivating, the album peaks with "Cologne" which is as close to Ben Folds Five’s hit-classic "Brick" as Ben Folds has come. |