Ben Folds (Official Thread) [Archive]

TachyonEvan

05/03/09, 03:45 PM

How is aforementioned album?

huge fan. i need to check out the a capella album... i'm sure it's awesome!

I'm loving it to death. It's so great.

I've always loved A Capella, and two of the songs are from my mom's alma mater, though, so I'm a little biased.

redsoxguy676

05/03/09, 03:47 PM

Ah, this is good!

I will listen asap.

Seeing this thread is a little deja vu for me after i saw a story about ben folds on cnn this morning, then coming on here and seeing a new thread makes it all the better.

TachyonEvan

05/03/09, 03:51 PM

Haha, I decided he needed an Official Thread.

_Andrew

05/03/09, 03:53 PM

been meaning to listen to that acapella album... might just get onto that tonight.

TachyonEvan

05/03/09, 03:56 PM

been meaning to listen to that acapella album... might just get onto that tonight.

Totally worth it.

TachyonEvan

05/03/09, 03:59 PM

These lyrics make me tear up every time:
Everybody knows it hurts to grow up
And everybody does
It's so weird to be back here
Let me tell you what:
The years go on and
We're still fighting it, we're still fighting it
And you're so much like me-
I'm sorry.

JimmyIymmiJ

05/03/09, 04:01 PM

I've liked Ben Folds since I was in high school which was a while ago for me. Everything he touches usually turns out decent. The A Cappella album is pretty cool.

TachyonEvan

05/03/09, 04:02 PM

Favorite album?

TachyonEvan

05/03/09, 04:05 PM

Whatever and Ever, Amen > Self-Titled > Reinhold Messner > Way To Normal > Rockin' The Suburbs > Songs For Silverman > Supersunnyspeedgraphic

LukesMannequin

05/03/09, 04:41 PM

Chromefox

05/03/09, 04:44 PM

TachyonEvan

05/03/09, 04:50 PM

I picked up Way to Normal recently and was kind of disappointed. It wasn't as catchy as the 5 tracks I'd heard led me to believe it was.

Though, the prepared piano on Free Coffee is really effing cool.

Way To Normal gets a bad rep- I really feel that it's his best solo record. So much originality (at least as far as he's concerned) and so much new.

Chromefox

05/03/09, 04:52 PM

I don't think it was awful, just, most of the tracks didn't live up to the couple I'd previewed. I mean, I'd already heard the best songs before I grabbed it, so the rest disappointed me.

TachyonEvan

05/03/09, 04:55 PM

I don't think it was awful, just, most of the tracks didn't live up to the couple I'd previewed. I mean, I'd already heard the best songs before I grabbed it, so the rest disappointed me.

It grew on me a LOT. At first I was disappointed, but it really grew on me a lot. That being said, I listened to it for a solid week and then saw him live, and I haven't listened to it since.

TachyonEvan

05/03/09, 04:55 PM

And the fake Way To Normal leak is so fucking awesome.

Indoor Living

05/03/09, 04:57 PM

It grew on me a LOT. At first I was disappointed, but it really grew on me a lot. That being said, I listened to it for a solid week and then saw him live, and I haven't listened to it since.

Seen him live three times, met him twice. Coolest dude ever, and he can fucking rock. Favorite artist right here.

Evan! I haven't seen you around since the Blink thread, dude. How have you been?

TachyonEvan

05/03/09, 04:59 PM

Seen him live three times, met him twice. Coolest dude ever, and he can fucking rock. Favorite artist right here.

Evan! I haven't seen you around since the Blink thread, dude. How have you been?

I didn't know you were a fan, dude! Awesome. So awesome.

I've only seen him once, but I've tried to see him two other times and was unable to.

I KNOW! I just saw your username on my control panel and was like "HOLY SHIT!" Hahaha, shit's been cool. AP tests next couple weeks. How about yourself?

Indoor Living

05/03/09, 05:00 PM

I didn't know you were a fan, dude! Awesome. So awesome.

I've only seen him once, but I've tried to see him two other times and was unable to.

I KNOW! I just saw your username on my control panel and was like "HOLY SHIT!" Hahaha, shit's been cool. AP tests next couple weeks. How about yourself?

The first time I saw him, I just got lucky, and security handed out backstage passes to everyone in like the front 10 rows. Pretty awesome.

I haven't talked to anyone I know on here in forever. I'm pretty good, too. Nervous about college and shit, but it's life. High school is coming to a close pretty nicely, can't complain.

TachyonEvan

05/03/09, 05:07 PM

The first time I saw him, I just got lucky, and security handed out backstage passes to everyone in like the front 10 rows. Pretty awesome.

I haven't talked to anyone I know on here in forever. I'm pretty good, too. Nervous about college and shit, but it's life. High school is coming to a close pretty nicely, can't complain.

That's so awesome.

Same. Totally looking forward to being done with high school in 3 weeks.

I don't get to walk at graduation, though

Indoor Living

05/03/09, 05:09 PM

That's so awesome.

Same. Totally looking forward to being done with high school in 3 weeks.

I don't get to walk at graduation, though

Weird. Why not?

Keagan Ilvonen

05/03/09, 05:13 PM

The man is awesome. Saw him live last Tuesday and he killed it.

TachyonEvan

05/03/09, 05:14 PM

Weird. Why not?

I didn't finish a gym credit in time.

Indoor Living

05/03/09, 05:15 PM

The man is awesome. Saw him live last Tuesday and he killed it.

Have you heard his a capella album?

TachyonEvan

05/03/09, 05:15 PM

The man is awesome. Saw him live last Tuesday and he killed it.

Is he still playing a 90% WTN set?

Keagan Ilvonen

05/03/09, 05:17 PM

Have you heard his a capella album?

I got it, but I haven't checked it out yet.

Is he still playing a 90% WTN set?

He did play quite a bit WTN but I wouldn't say it was 90%.

Indoor Living

05/03/09, 05:19 PM

I didn't finish a gym credit in time.

Retarded. Extremely.

I got it, but I haven't checked it out yet.

He did play quite a bit WTN but I wouldn't say it was 90%.

Yeah, when he played in MPLS, it was half new, half old.

Keagan Ilvonen

05/03/09, 05:22 PM

Retarded. Extremely.

Yeah, when he played in MPLS, it was half new, half old.

Yeah that's what I was going to basically say.

TachyonEvan

05/03/09, 05:22 PM

Retarded. Extremely.

On my part?

Indoor Living

05/03/09, 05:24 PM

On my part?

Of course not. That's just schools being dumb right there.

TachyonEvan

05/03/09, 05:26 PM

Of course not. That's just schools being dumb right there.

Yeah. I'm meeting with my guidance counselor tomorrow to try to talk them out of it.

Indoor Living

05/03/09, 05:27 PM

Yeah that's what I was going to basically say.

I got to hear Landed live, so I was good. haha.

Yeah. I'm meeting with my guidance counselor tomorrow to try to talk them out of it.

How didn't you get it in time?

Keagan Ilvonen

05/03/09, 05:29 PM

I got to hear Landed live, so I was good. haha.

How didn't you get it in time?

Dude, Landed, Rockin The Suburbs, Still Fighting It, Army, Bitches Ain't Shit, soooo much more. I was pretty satisfied.

Indoor Living

05/03/09, 05:41 PM

Dude, Landed, Rockin The Suburbs, Still Fighting It, Army, Bitches Ain't Shit, soooo much more. I was pretty satisfied.

Yeah, it was all great, but I just enjoy Landed on a whole other level than the rest of his songs. I don't understand why.

boxingwithstars

05/03/09, 05:47 PM

oh man, the a cappella album is pretty cool. i especially love boxing.

JimmyIymmiJ

05/03/09, 05:48 PM

Whatever and Ever, Amen > Self-Titled > Reinhold Messner > Way To Normal > Rockin' The Suburbs > Songs For Silverman > Supersunnyspeedgraphic

Rockin' The Suburbs > The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner > Whatever and Ever Amen > Songs For Silverman > Ben Folds Five > Way to Normal > Supersunnyspeedgraphic - LP

Am I the only person who doesn't really like Reinhold Messner? I would go Whatever and Ever Amen>Rockin' the Suburbs>Ben Folds Five>Songs For Silverman>Way to Normal>Supersunnyspeedgraphic>Reinhold Messner for myself. I really miss the days when he toured with just himself and a piano and played whatever song was yelled the loudest. I saw that show at the Electric Factory in Philly about 7 years ago and it was so much fun. I remember someone yelling for Underground and he said, "Just remember, I don't sing that whole song so you guys are really gonna have to help me!" So much fun.

narcoleptic953

05/03/09, 06:06 PM

I think the A Cappella album is a really cool idea. I mean, if you think about it, you have groups like doing all sorts of songs by all sorts of artists all the time, but they just aren't that widely heard. Some of the takes on this album are awful, but there are also some really cool arrangements.

Hey Kevin

05/03/09, 06:12 PM

His solo stuff never caught on to me like ben folds five
any recs?

AlternateToLife

05/03/09, 06:45 PM

Mm. Love Ben Folds. Not as into Ben Folds Five as I wish to be. But I've got all his solo's

TachyonEvan

05/03/09, 08:12 PM

Am I the only person who doesn't really like Reinhold Messner? I would go Whatever and Ever Amen>Rockin' the Suburbs>Ben Folds Five>Songs For Silverman>Way to Normal>Supersunnyspeedgraphic>Reinhold Messner for myself. I really miss the days when he toured with just himself and a piano and played whatever song was yelled the loudest. I saw that show at the Electric Factory in Philly about 7 years ago and it was so much fun. I remember someone yelling for Underground and he said, "Just remember, I don't sing that whole song so you guys are really gonna have to help me!" So much fun.

Awesome.

I used to not like Reinhold at all. Granted, I like it less than the other two BFF albums, but it grew on me a lot. It's a very calm album. I only really listen to it when I'm in a certain place in my mind.

How didn't you get it in time?

:shrug: I never took it. And then I was doing it online, and didn't finish it in time.

Dude, Landed, Rockin The Suburbs, Still Fighting It, Army, Bitches Ain't Shit, soooo much more. I was pretty satisfied.

Bitches Ain't Shit FTW.

TachyonEvan

05/03/09, 08:12 PM

Mm. Love Ben Folds. Not as into Ben Folds Five as I wish to be. But I've got all his solo's

BFF > Solo

Indoor Living

05/03/09, 08:30 PM

Awesome.

I used to not like Reinhold at all. Granted, I like it less than the other two BFF albums, but it grew on me a lot. It's a very calm album. I only really listen to it when I'm in a certain place in my mind.

:shrug: I never took it. And then I was doing it online, and didn't finish it in time.

Bitches Ain't Shit FTW.

Online gym? Oxymoron. Haha.

AlternateToLife

05/04/09, 04:21 AM

BFF > Solo

I know. I just haven't gotten around to purchasing his old stuff yet

TachyonEvan

05/08/09, 10:41 AM

Online gym? Oxymoron. Haha.

Inorite?

I know. I just haven't gotten around to purchasing his old stuff yet

Veeeeery worth it.

TachyonEvan

05/17/09, 01:00 PM

Jesus Christ, I feel like listening to Reinhold Messner now.

Thrice4Life

09/28/09, 02:48 PM

Anyone else attend the concert at IU last night?

yoyostring

04/01/10, 07:43 PM

best album to start with??

BenjaminGreen

04/01/10, 08:11 PM

Benjamin Scott Folds is the mother fucking man! Most talented musician by far, his cover of such great heights totally won my heart!

IceAge/HeatWave

06/20/10, 12:55 PM

best album to start with??

well, there are two schools of ben folds- both similar, but different enough to be thought of in separate categories:

ben folds five was his outfit with his first three releases (self titled; whatever and ever, amen; and the unauthorized biography of reinhold messner) and it is usually a bit jazzier. his solo stuff has seen his three latest releases (rockin' the suburbs; songs for silverman; way to normal), including several EP's. my order for getting into him would go like this:

whatever and ever, amen or rocking the suburbs; reinhold messmer and ben folds five; then songs for silverman.

way to normal is kind of a mess, but some really good songs are on there. try effington, kylie from connecticut, and hiroshima from that album.

ben folds is one of my 5 favorite people in music.

IceAge/HeatWave

09/14/10, 12:19 PM

vMQ-qdUmi1M

new single.

jeremyfromva

09/14/10, 09:06 PM

vMQ-qdUmi1M

new single.

This collaboration was such a great idea!

IceAge/HeatWave

11/16/10, 10:10 PM

saw him at bogarts here in cinci last week. ben folds has put on two of the top 5 shows i've ever seen. he was hilarious, his group was improving everything- we saw covers of ke$ha and an impromptu johnny cash cover per request. the new songs sounded great, especially doc pomus and picture window. i never had much of an opinion on ben folds until i saw him in dayton last spring (my girlfriend was a huge fan), and i've loved him ever since.

sammyboy516

12/14/10, 08:45 PM

buuuuump.

also, i think i actually like his solo stuff more, saw someone say BFF is better.

Indoor Living

12/14/10, 08:49 PM

buuuuump.

also, i think i actually like his solo stuff more, saw someone say BFF is better.
I prefer Five as well.

sammyboy516

12/14/10, 09:54 PM

I prefer Five as well.

don't get me wrong, they're great. for whatever reason, i just tend to enjoy his solo stuff more. i only have whatever and ever amen from BFF though, i need to get the others.

dannylololol

12/14/10, 09:58 PM

He dedicated Bitches Ain't Shit to my buddies and me when he performed here :D

Indoor Living

12/14/10, 10:00 PM

He dedicated Bitches Ain't Shit to my buddies and me when he performed here :D
My best friend got pulled up on stage and had a song about his dick written on the spot. 'Craig's Dick' was the hit of the night.

attackattackman

12/14/10, 10:14 PM

saw him with my girlfriend not too long ago. i listen to hardcore, so i usually don't like the ben folds of the world, but i was blown away by the show he put on. incredible composer and artist

TachyonEvan

05/24/11, 01:33 PM

Ben Folds Five is the best fucking band. Was listening to the s/t the other day and it's just perfect for summer.

Indoor Living

05/24/11, 01:36 PM

There is not one mediocre track on Rockin' The Suburbs. Some of the harmonies absolutely blow my mind, especially on 'Fred Jones, Pt. 2' and 'Ascent Of Stan.'

About to listen to Songs For Silverman now. What did everyone think of Lonely Avenue?

TachyonEvan

05/24/11, 01:40 PM

Indoor Living

05/24/11, 01:41 PM

It had some fantastic tracks, but on the whole, I must admit it's my least favorite album he's put out.

I think it's because him and Hornby didn't mesh nearly as well as they were hoping on that project.

TachyonEvan

05/24/11, 01:43 PM

I think it's because him and Hornby didn't mesh nearly as well as they were hoping on that project.

Completely agree. Love Hornby, obviously love Folds, but it just didn't work. The musical experimentation didn't work as well as it did on Way To Normal, either, in my opinion.

Indoor Living

05/24/11, 01:47 PM

Completely agree. Love Hornby, obviously love Folds, but it just didn't work. The musical experimentation didn't work as well as it did on Way To Normal, either, in my opinion.

It worked just as well, seeing as 5-7 of the tracks on Way To Normal are fantastic. He hasn't had a 100% great album since Rockin'.

TachyonEvan

05/24/11, 01:51 PM

It worked just as well, seeing as 5-7 of the tracks on Way To Normal are fantastic. He hasn't had a 100% great album since Rockin'.

Agree, but Silverman's damn close.

Indoor Living

05/24/11, 01:56 PM

Agree, but Silverman's damn close.

I've never been a fan of 'Jesusland,' half of 'Give Judy My Notice,' (the way the chords don't resolve like, at all, is one of the very few times I've disagreed with his arrangement choices), and 'Prison Food.' Otherwise, yeah, it's a great, great record. His voice is just angelic, man. I can't get enough of it. He has that voice that sounds like he's singing the song for you, and to you. 'Still Fighting It' feels like it was written for me after graduating high school.

cshadows2887

11/24/11, 01:29 AM

Crushing "Gone" tonight.

cshadows2887

11/29/11, 12:30 PM

5Y_SQNn3HHc&feature=related

Awesome.

TachyonEvan

11/29/11, 02:45 PM

I get really bummed when this thread is bumped because I have to deal with my awful typo in the thread title, haha.

Mooses

11/29/11, 06:52 PM

Apparently on his new release, Best Imitation of Myself, in addition to all of his old stuff there are a couple new BFF songs that were recorded this year. I'm still yet to check them out, but I'm hoping they live up to the old BFF.

SleepsSundays

11/29/11, 07:08 PM

The totally new BF5 songs are great (Home in particular is a full on fantastic song, Stumbling Home Winter Blues is a gentle little song but it has a lot of charm) and the new recordings of unreleased old BF5 songs (especially Amelia Bright) are... well I've been waiting for them to emerge for years and was not at all disappointed. Very, VERY high hopes for the full BF5 reunion album.