<< It was Ben Folds Five, referring to the front man whose name is Ben Folds, and his group of four. They had a hit single a few years back with "Brick". Since then he has dropped the group and is now just Ben Folds. >>
Actually it was Ben and his group of TWO additional. That gives you a sense of his warped sense of humor. Ben plays the piano, and I mean he PLAYS it. Think Billy Joel/Elton John/Joe Jackson/George Gershwin/Fred Simon all rolled into one, plus originality to spill over! "Brick" introduced him to the public, but as he played heavily in the NC Triangle, my sister turned me on to him early on. The BF5 put out 3 "official" records, all of which are wonderful and contain songs that are funny, raucous, poignant, and irreverent, some all at the same time. His solo "Rockin' The Suburbs" is remarkably good. Instantly accesible melodies, strong musicianship, and an original sound because it's rock and roll with no guitars - piano, bass, and drums. And as if the melodies aren't enough to win you over, he writes a damn fine lyric like "Carrying Cathy" or the very touching "Fred Jones Pt. 2". Or introduces you to "Zak without a C" and "Sara without an H". What a thrill to hear such originality in a soundalike world! Anybody who thinks today's music sucks should get it. I guess the reason that folks like Ben and Jonatha aren't HUGE stars is that there's not many like them, and it's much easier for the starmaker machinery to find as many Christinas, Britneys, and Boy Bands as they want. But Ben Folds is the real deal. I had it on non-stop play until I got this Ryan Adams, which is every bit as good. I'm in heaven. Now, if you'll excuse me, Ryan's singing "Enemy Fire". I gotta play air guitar. Life....for the moment...is very good. Bob
