If It's Too Loud...

Photo courtesy of The Alan Wolmark Archive As I previously stated , Ben Folds Five's 1995 self-titled first album was wildly important and vital to who I am today, and why I'm probably/definitely overly obsessed with music. Last month, Ben Folds announced they were issuing an expanded version of the album with alternate takes. It's mostly their first attempt at recording the album, which was shelved and re-recorded as the version we all know and love. They just released the Shelved First Attempt of "Philosophy," and with this one I can truly hear the difference. The Shelved First Attempt is a much cleaner and produced version. For me, the rougher aspect of the album was always one of my favorite parts, especially how they always made what I can now see as piano pop sound more punk and indie rock. This unreleased version of "Philosophy" is good, but it's a little too polished. If you were lucky enough to see them play live during this period, you know...

Photo courtesy The Alan Wolmark Archive Ben Folds Five was a wildly important band in my early adulthood, particularly their 1995 self-titled album. Getting anything new to us from that band, and that album, is going to be especially thrilling for us. To celebrate the band's thirtieth anniversary (albeit late), Ben Folds is releasing a remastered and expanded version with previously unheard alternate takes and versions. The first one we can hear is "Underground (Shelved First Attempt)." I'm not sure if the casual BFF fan will notice the differences, but if being a fan in 1996 was a big part of your personality, you definitely will. In my opinion, the album version we all know and love is the superior version, but hearing this early take is a fun experience for the diehards.  You can listen to "Underground (Shelved First Attempt)" below. Ben Folds Five (30th Anniversary) is due out September 4 on Capitol/UMe, and is available for pre-order here . For more on ...

Photo by Alysse Gafkjen Ben Folds is releasing some of his finest music in years, and his latest is "Exhausting Lover." The song tells a story and is a one song musical, but in the hippest way possible. Well... hip is relative when it comes to Ben Folds, after all. The song is about an... encounter with a fan in a cheap motel, but somehow it doesn't come across as overly gross or braggy. It's actually reminding me a lot of a song like "Army" off of Ben Folds Five's 1999 album The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner. It's a complicated song with multiple parts, and it's funny without being too jokey. It's ridiculous, but also a lot of fun. Derek Waters of Drunk History and director of the video says of the song: “I always have and always will love Ben Folds. But now I have a deeper appreciation for him knowing we shared similar experiences in a motel 6 with a hot wheels track and dancers dressed as animals.” You can watch the video for ...

Photo by Alysse Gafkjen I've been a fan of Ben Folds for a long, long time. I first saw Ben Folds Five way back in 1996 at Mama Kin in Boston for the whopping ticket price of $5.00. I'm visible in the DVD that came with Live back in 2002. But, his more recent releases have been hit or miss with me. It's been eight years since he released an album, and now Folds is back with an upcoming album. The first single from that album, "Winslow Gardens," is exactly what I want from Folds in 2023. It may not have the same edge that his music did in 1996, but I certainly don't, either. This is a piano focused (obviously) pop track that is pure Adult Contemporary magic. It has just the right amount of Folds' humor while still being a serious song about isolating with a loved one. If you've fallen off the Ben Folds bandwagon, "Winslow Gardens" is a great jumping back on point. Ben Folds says of his upcoming album: “I come from the vinyl era, and this perha...

This is a very busy new release week, so we'll be splitting this one into two posts. Part two will be out tomorrow! Album of the Week: Artist : Gary Clark Jr Album : The Story of Sonny Boy Slim Quick Description : Second album by blues rocker. Why You Should Listen : Because you like good things that impress you musically. Because you like music. Because you're a human being. Overall Thoughts : Man, this album. I can't wait to spend more time with it because it's just so well done. I liked his first album a lot, but this one, for me, is even better. A few standout tracks, nothing that falls apart, and it doesn't feel long even at 53 minutes. Just a stellar album, and a must listen this week. Recommendation : Album of the week by far, will deserve end of year consideration. Artist : Ben Folds Album : So There Quick Description : A Ben Folds solo album with added orchestration. Why You Should Listen : Ben Folds is always doing something interest...

Music made for kids is the absolute worst. As much as you might try to raise your kid on a diet of Dinosaur Jr and the Ramones, eventually a grandparent ruins everything with some Disney Princess nonsense or the Wiggles. Sure, there are children's albums out there by They Might Be Giants and the Fun Fun Records roster is actually good, but they are the exception, and the rule is Raffi. Right now for free you can download a 3 song sampler on Noisetrade for Sandra Boynton's FROG TROUBLE . If you have a kid, you know Sandra Boynton's surprisingly good books featuring animals in people clothes ( But Not the Hippopotamus is my personal favorite). FROG TROUBLE  is a collection of kids' songs written by Boynton and sung by a mixed bag of artists. You'll probably want to focus on Ben Folds, Ryan Adams, Mark Lanegan, and Fountains of Wayne while ignoring Darius Rucker. The "fun pack" you can download for free includes Kacey Musgraves, Ryan Adams, and Ben Fold...