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| Ben FoldsSongs For Silverman2005 Sony 
  Review by: LostInTheCrowd13 See others by this writer Ben Folds Official Site (link) Only registered users can post comments 
 
Published on May 3rd 2005
Do you remember MTV's "Celebrity Death Match?" I do. I always wanted to see the original "Piano Man," Billy Joel, take on the Piano Man of our generation, Ben Folds. I think Folds could take him. It would be easy with Joel's ever-growing problems with alcohol. You probably thought this was leading somewhere; well, sadly it is not. So with that being said, I introduce to you, Ben Folds' newest album, Songs For Silverman.
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i dont care what song it is... as long as its ben folds does anyone no a ben folds song that is about alcohol? the last 3 comments are mine by the way in english at school we have to do a project on our heroes... if i was old enough i would marry him, but im only 14 ben folds is the best i love him so much I absoltuely loved this album.. no on ehas said it y et, but i really, really like the song Landed, i don't know why everyone else doesn't like it. i think that especailly near the end, it feels very full. i also like the songs late, gracie, and bastard a lot. basically.. i like al of the songs. it's different, and awesome. I think Jesusland is the best song on this album. It's about if Jesus came back to life and saw how people use his name and exploit the Bible for wrong things (like fear-mongering and political-propaganda spouting) and how he would no doubt be disapointed. It's a hilarious song, and an amazing album. I'm a huge fan of Ben's. I discovered Whatever and Ever Amen in highschool and it proved to be one of my favorite albums. Coincidentally, Elliott Smith's XO takes my #1 spot, and he pays tribute to Elliott on this album. I had no idea the two of them were acquaintances, and from a personal standpoint the album is worth the price of that song alone. 1. Billy Joel "Yeah, I'll say. I saw this on the review list and blindly went out to buy it expecting crusty thrash. Oops! " Oh no, RKL is gonna kill me with his US Bombs albums. this has nada to do with ben folds, but why does this site actually post news from punk roock. do people actually listen to bands like us bombs and the union label group? if so, those bitches outta get away from that shit. RUN FOR THE HILLS! "Late" is a really sad song. Officer Friendly's little boy's got a mohawk! calling a ben folds song piano driven is like calling a Yngwie Malmstien song guitar driven. and there is no way that Folds can take Billy Joel. this album should of been better for how long we had to wait for it. but i still enjoy it a lot. Haha Randy Newman, just sits there singing about what he sees... "Ben Folds greater than Billy Joel? What are you kids, fucking reatarded?" in response to the comment 2 comments below this one. yeah, i love generic macho hardcore. because you know thats what rkl is. either get a clue, or shut the fuck up. if you haven't at least given ben folds a chance until now, chances are, you listen to a lot really really bad music. "For the person who posted two down who said this album was kind of boring you could check out Whatever and Ever Amen. That might be more what you're looking for." " "This was my first record by Ben Folds and I am a little disappointed there was only 3-4 songs that I liked, maybe someone who has heard all his records can recommend some other of his thatīs better?(and faster/funnier cause this one was kinda boring)" " The song starts "You can't fool me, I saw you when you came out", which brings to mind some imagery that one might want to forget." Another great interview with him in this week's Onion. This is another great album from Ben Folds, even if this one is much more sentimental than his earlier releases. Hell, there is no rocking of any kind on this album, not even the suburbs. Whoever provided that link to that article: thank you. That was an excellently written piece. ben folds is such an underappreciated talent. sure a lot of people are a fan of his, but he should be spoken in the same breath as people like billy joel. his songs tell stories, have some beautiful words and melodies, and paint a vivid picture. true art. I can never decide if I really like or really hate Ben Folds. He's kinda irritating, though catchy. This is bullshit piano rock for hipsters too afraid to steal their parents' Billy Joel records. "not punk" score is for paste magazine mention a few comments down. "This was my first record by Ben Folds and I am a little disappointed there was only 3-4 songs that I liked, maybe someone who has heard all his records can recommend some other of his thatīs better?(and faster/funnier cause this one was kinda boring)" Back in when they started, Ben Folds Five described themselves as "punk rock for sissies." Anyway, the album's really good, like all of his stuff. but with a more somber feel (for the first time, there's no outright goofy song). More consistent than Rockin' the Suburbs (and better production). Some really great lyrics. ben folds has some coolness factor involved in his quality. This has been said.. but yeah this review was pretty bad. To the reviewer, you're right, going through every song in a review is a shitty way to go about things but only because it doesn't give a general view of the album. This review didn't have a general view of the album either, it just talked about less songs. Though I think most of the readers here have passing knowledge of the works of Ben Folds you really need to describe what it sounds like. For the person who posted two down who said this album was kind of boring you could check out Whatever and Ever Amen. That might be more what you're looking for. "Not the best review, you only really reviewed half the album." This was my first record by Ben Folds and I am a little disappointed there was only 3-4 songs that I liked, maybe someone who has heard all his records can recommend some other of his thatīs better?(and faster/funnier cause this one was kinda boring) i just looked at the liner notes for this cd, and weird al sings back ups on one song! guess maybe i'll actually listen to this thing... also, Mangum is about 35- 40 years old. that would be Gen X. oops...there should be no question mark after "Neutral Milk Hotel broke up before you graduated from high school" Jeff Mangum is Generation Y's singer/songwriter???? Neutral Milk Hotel broke up before you graduated from high school? What the fuck are you talking about? J.M./NMH has nothing to do with Gen Y. Sorry, suckas. Ben Folds is, and will always be far superior to anything any of you will ever listen to. billy joel fucking sucks. i cant wait until he drives his car off of montauk and drowns. Ben Folds has nothing to do with this generation. This is generation Y, he's generation X. Christ, even Conor Oberst has better song composition than him. the album cover alone is worth it. I'm going to go on a limb and call Ben Folds our generation's best songwriter. Yes, this record is different, and is a little short on the signature sarcasm and humor, but the songs are still incredibly honest and effective and amazing as always. Ben Folds is a great singer-songwriter but he is not punk in any way, shape of form. This remains a decent album, but is clearly his most downbeat and least challenging effort. Lyrically, his story telling skills have been ignored in favour of more intimate topics "Ben Folds greater than Billy Joel? What are you kids, fucking reatarded?" The extra large photo/lyric case that this record comes in is beautiful. ben folds five was way better. Ben Folds greater than Billy Joel? What are you kids, fucking reatarded? I like his cover of Dr Dre's "Bitches Aint Shit" I've loved every Ben Folds release up until this plate of trash. I am VERY disappointed! The liner notes suggest his wife had a lot to do with this album, BIG MISTAKE! Dump her Ben (& don't forget your black t-shirt). Not the best review, you only really reviewed half the album. And the EP version of Give Judy My Notice was amazing. score is for the review. Jeff Mangum is about ten years younger and at least ten times better that this talentless hack. Dont be an ass dood, billy joel used to be a boxer, maybe now Ben would beat him cuz he's an old drunk, but in his prime billy kicked ass. What you should have talked about is how and why ben folds should have opened the billy joel/elton john bill rather than doing a triple tour and opening for guster and rufus wainwright. Stellar This review doesn't say too much about the album. Check it out, even if it's just for the Elliott Smith tribute. Plus, I totally disagree with the "Judy" knocking. and also, to anyone who doesn't have ben folds five albums, you should go out and buy them, that's all. yeah this album isn't amazing, but good, and solid. and i like the cover which seems to be totally mocking the myspace generation. Even a subpar Ben Folds album kills. my god, do i hate this man I'm glad to see this site is not compromising itself. |
