Expanding on the hook-laden songcraft of their eponymous debut, the Ben Folds Five turn in another glitzy array of Todd Rundgren-esque, piano-driven pop on their second album, Whatever and Ever Amen. Though it isn't as consistently tuneful and clever as their first record, Whatever and Ever Amen has a snazzy sense of popcraft -- the hooks of "The Battle of Who Could Care Less," "Brick," and "Fair" sink in nearly as effortlessly as Billy Joel, Elton John, or Joe Jackson -- which makes the record enjoyable ear candy. Occasionally, Folds' smug humor -- whether it's the alternative rock skewering of "The Battle" or the borderline misogynist humor of "Song for the Dumped" -- can undercut his melodic gifts, but Whatever and Ever Amen is confirmation that the showy pop pleasures of his first record were no fluke.
Compared with last week, this week in CDs is a little disappointing. There ares still some noteworthy releases, hower. Check them out:James Taylor - CoversJennifer Hudson - Jennifer HudsonT.I. - Paper TrailRobin Thicke - Something ElseBen Folds - Way To NormalTodd Rundgren - ArenaFaith Hill - Joy to the WorldKellie Pickler - Kellie PicklerJoshua Radin - Simple TimesJack's Mannequin - The Glass ...
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After talking with some friends about my last post, one of them suggested, "What about a mix cd to break up with someone to." I thought to myself, what a novel idea. I have never had the balls to actually make a cd of you are getting dumped music. Usually it is me on the recieving end. Even when you are in the process of a break up, its not something that usually goes through your head. So, I d...
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Yesterday, Blair (SatisfiedMind) was trying to pass off some unhappy songs as happy songs. (;) Then, I decided that was a perfect post: sad songs that disguise themselves as happy songs. You get to wallow in your grief with a smile on your face. Ben Folds is the king of this special type of music for me. I can't count the times I've been bopping down the road to Ben Folds and then a lyric wo
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After talking with some friends about my last post, one of them suggested, "What about a mix cd to break up with someone to." I thought to myself, what a novel idea. I have never had the balls to actually make a cd of you are getting dumped music. Usually it is me on the recieving end. Even when you are in the process of a break up, its not something that usually goes through your head. So, I d...
More >
Yesterday, Blair (SatisfiedMind) was trying to pass off some unhappy songs as happy songs. (;) Then, I decided that was a perfect post: sad songs that disguise themselves as happy songs. You get to wallow in your grief with a smile on your face. Ben Folds is the king of this special type of music for me. I can't count the times I've been bopping down the road to Ben Folds and then a lyric wo
More >
Compared with last week, this week in CDs is a little disappointing. There ares still some noteworthy releases, hower. Check them out:James Taylor - CoversJennifer Hudson - Jennifer HudsonT.I. - Paper TrailRobin Thicke - Something ElseBen Folds - Way To NormalTodd Rundgren - ArenaFaith Hill - Joy to the WorldKellie Pickler - Kellie PicklerJoshua Radin - Simple TimesJack's Mannequin - The Glass ...
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My puny "Have" list in la la has me scouring my CDs. This is one I'll never give away, and not just because my daughter gave it to me one Christmas. It really is a remarkable album. BF used to refer to it as "punk for sissies". I prefer rock for smart people.
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!http://mog.com/pictures/1202/pictures/12274.jpeg?1158086052!"Kate":http://mog.com/Kate, I can't help it. Every time I see you post somewhere on MOG, the song "Kate" by Ben Folds Five pops right into my head. "_Dandelions, butterflies, I wanna be... KATE!_" It's getting kind of pavlovian.I guess to open this up for general conversation, are there any people that you guys have developed a sou...
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I made a myspace bulletin today, all about music. Yes stab me, please. I think it was half decent, questions included sad songs nostalgic songs fave albums etc. But anyway.Not the greatest day today. Only in history do I avoid the daily music debate; with the hard rock/jazz man Chris, rap man Morgan and avid anti-emo boagn Dion. (I hate to say I'm a music snob, but when talking to these "m...
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Apparently, the song included in this post, "Kate," reminds R of me. He says it has reminded him of me since college. (Of course, after we had met.)I suppose I should say I'm flattered... Hahahaha!But, for the record, I don't smoke pot. I just enjoy getting plastered, is all.And, really, who doesn't? Right, right, right?
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I just like this songIt made me laugh...haha Ben Folds is great.
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 "Whatever and Ever Amen")
