In honor of Mr. Ben Folds playing in Los Angeles tonight -- which will, unfathomably, be my first time seeing him proper, not counting a quickie gig he did at the Virgin Megastore a few years back -- we have the second installment of Learn To Love. Ben Folds Five seem horribly under-appreciated these days, perhaps thanks to the ubiquity and one-hit-wonderishness of "Brick," but they're so much more than that. Billing themselves as players of "punk for sissies," Ben Folds Five were a relative anomaly in '90s indie rock, matching the era's teen angst against '60s pop harmonies and musical chops on the level of previous piano men like Elton John and Billy Joel (but so much more gloriously unhinged). Over three albums and a b-sides & rarities collection, their songs ranged from ironic anthems ("Underground," the best ever song about being a hipster/loser/whatever) to thoughtful ballads ("Don't Change Your Plans"), from bass-heavy to Bacharach-tinged. They were my first favorite band; I love them dearly, and I hope you will too.
(Ben Folds Official Site)
Previously: Learn to Love: Beulah
Previously: Video: Ben Folds Five Reunion - "Don't Change Your Plans"
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Learn To Love: An introduction to awesome. Every Friday. Click below for more.
Labels: Ben Folds, Learn To Love, Old Music
posted by David Greenwald @ 1:39 AM 
Comments (5)
Ben Folds is Elvis Costello for the 1990's. I've NEVER understood why he has gone so under-praised. He's written some great fucking songs.
Thanks for this - a band I've heard loads about, but have never gotten around to checking out.
You picked some great songs to highlight, and it has me digging out my "Messner" album again. I think Ben would have been much bigger had he not alienated his fan base with some weird antics/attitude/douchebaggery. Still...great music.
I only got into BF after "Songs for Silverman" so I've never seen him as "underappreciated". Ben Folds live shows are as good as it gets. He's a great entertainer (although he has a tendency to sing off key). But his new album, Way to Normal, just sucks big time. The old stuff still is the best, so there is little chance of him getting more exposure in the future, I guess.
Thanks for the post!
under-appreciated and underrated? TOTALLY!!! The reissue of "Whatever and ever amen" comes with bonus tracks including a Japanese version of the classic "song for the dumped"!!!
http://www.amazon.com/Whatever-Ever-Amen-Folds-Five/dp/B0007TFGXU/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1227287962&sr=8-2
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