As a fan of Ben Folds, I’ve become accustomed to “cherry-picking” songs off of his albums. With a multifaceted singer/songwriter like Folds, you pretty much have to. I personally prefer the sad, introspective side of Folds over the snarky, juvenile side. and unfortunately for those like me, we don’t get much introspection on Folds’ new album Way to Normal. What we DO get is a whole lot of sarcasm and cynicism in songs like “Dr. Yang”, “The Frown Song” and “Bitch Went Nuts”. And I’m all FOR variety in songwriting but the majority of these songs simply fall flat and just don’t measure up to his past achievements. Even the epic centerpiece of the album, “Before Cologne/Cologne” feels half-done and doesn’t resonant as strongly as it should. For me, things don’t click until the last three songs on the album – “Brainwascht”, “Effington” and “Kylie from Connecticut”. “Brainwascht”, a bitter yet humorous response to a once trusted friend, has a fantastic hook that just won’t quit. “Effington” features a nice balance of Folds’ humor and “grass is greener” longing. The album closes with “Kylie” a beautiful ballad with cinematic flare. The instrumental middle section of the song is very well done and successfully conveys the internal struggle of the lead character. But those three songs can’t save the album as a whole. Plus the modern mix/loud mastering doesn’t help matters much either.
retroGrade : C
Way to Normal Artist: Ben Folds
Label: Epic/Sony
released: September 30, 2008
Produced by: Dennis Herring
TrackList: 1 Hiroshima (B B B Benny Hit His Head) 3:37
2 Dr. Yang 2:30
3 The Frown Song 3:37
4 You Don’t Know Me 3:11
5 Before Cologne 0:53
6 Cologne 5:02
7 Errant Dog 2:24
8 Free Coffee 4:01
9 Bitch Went Nuts 3:06
10 Brainwascht 3:48
11 Effington 3:32
12 Kylie from Connecticut 4:43
All songs written by Ben Folds
I remember hearing “brick” for the first time. I was in college! (So long ago, wow) I’ve not kept up with them though.