| Music Review | A.C. Hall |
Ben Folds “Songs For Silverman”
Ben Folds is a bit of a modern day enigma. I mean really,
piano based rock? It’s not that often that a man and his
piano can become successful. Elton John, Billy Joel, and for
this generation, we have Ben Folds. If you’re a fan of his
music, this album is like walking into your childhood home
again. It’s instantly familiar and comfortable. If it had a
theme, it just may have been “if it ain’t broke don’t fix
it”. So let’s take a deeper look, shall we?
One thing I instantly found surprising is the lack of
repetition on this album. Ben Folds has released quite a few
albums and EP’s over the last five years, so it’s surprising
that each song
on
this album still sounds and feels unique. This album really
doesn’t have as much cynical humor as Ben Folds last major
label release “Rockin’ the Suburbs”. There are quite a few
truly touching moments here such as “Gracie”, a track
written about Ben Fold’s relationship with his young
daughter or the superbly performed “Trusted”, a song about
well… trust. Perhaps the best track of the album is the
closing track "Prison Food". The song screams loneliness and
really goes a long way to put you in the mindset that Ben
Folds is singing about. It's an almost bittersweet way to
close out the album, but there's no denying that it leaves
an impression on you well after the cd has stopped spinning.
As you sit listening, soaking up Ben Folds understated and
smooth style of singing, you suddenly realize he's just laid
some rather profound truths on you. And that's the best
part, they never feel forced. You never get the sense that
he wrote a line simply because he thought it sounded smart
or clever. It's the understated honesty of it all that
ultimately makes it profound.
If you were a fan of Ben Folds before now, you'll remain so
here as you bob your head along with this new album. If you
weren't a Ben Folds fan before now, this album won't do
anything to change your mind or sway your opinion. It's
simply more of the same, which in this case means some great
piano based music with some deep and clever lyrics. Now if
you'll excuse me, after all of this sentimental piano music
I really need to go throw on a Slayer record.
3 ½ out of 5 stars