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Ben Folds commented on his new album, Way To Normal, on his website (benfolds.com) by saying “It’s about me coming back to being myself.” If that’s true, Ben Folds is one weird dude. The Album kicks off with a “Benny and the Jets” inspired song “Hiroshima (B B B Benny Hit His Head)” that recounts the time he fell off the stage during a show in Japan. The song is a foot stomper and has cheeky lyrics that poke fun at Folds’ tumble, but is incredibly shallow. The lyrics are so literal that they don’t leave anything up to your imagination. Way to Normal treks on to the next song, “Dr. Yang”. “Dr. Yang” sounds like a ‘50s jukebox song that you would dance to with the girl you are going steady with. Fun and upbeat, the first two songs of the album sound like they are meant to be played in front of an audience, not through your headphones.“You Don’t Know Me” could have been the album’s highlight (The song features pop-goddess Regina Spektor.) Yet, once again, shallow and uninspired lyrics hinder the song’s beauty. The duet of Ben Folds and Regina Spektor singing a break up song does not compare to the duet of Tegan Quin and Tom Gabel on “Borne on the FM Waves of the Heart”, a much better break-up/duet song. Because of the lyrics, “You Don’t Know Me” bores me after a play or two. The true highlight of the album comes on the song “Cologne” and the minute long instrumental introduction “Before Cologne” a peaceful ballad that reminded me of why Ben Folds is great. If you haven’t been able to tell already, I haven’t been praising the lyrics of Way To Normal so far, here is were Ben Folds steps it up. Folds has never been known for deep, philosophical songs examining the psyche of the human mind. He has been known for simple piano ballads and fun up-beat jams, often laced with goofy lyrics. The second half of the album exemplifies this. “Free Coffee” is a satirical song about Ben’s fame. “Bitch Went Nuts” is goofy fun from the 42-year-old, balding white male that is Ben Folds. “Effington” is a hilarious song about a small Illinois town with the most unfortunate name. (If you are from the Midwest, particularly Illinois, you MUST listen to this song.) Needless to say, Ben Folds' newest solo album veers off the typical piano rock course. The songs are a motley crue of sorts, with no theme or underpinning. The album should be approached like a bag of Halloween candy. Some of the songs are like Reese’s; tasty morsels that you won't trade to any of your friends no matter what. Other songs are like Almond Joy, shit that shouldn’t be given out to trick-or-treaters. Everyone hates Almond Joy… 6.5/10 |
Ben Folds’ third solo album is a bit of a hodgepodge. Obscure, novelty songs are haphazardly slapped together to create a very unique album.