CD Reviews

Ben Folds | Way To Normal

Epic (2008)

By ZETH LUNDY | September 23, 2008

1.5 Stars

When Ben Folds’s music was concerned with the aimlessness of a post-adolescent funk (think of the three records released by his Chapel Hill–based trio, Ben Folds Five, which yielded bouncy pop confections about growing up a bullying victim, wallowing in apathy, and joining the Army), it was clever, funny, and endearing. His recent string of solo albums has been burdened with an increasingly “mature” autobiography, and to these ears, his take on adulthood simply isn’t as interesting. His latest has his trademark mallet-fingered piano bangin’ and fuzz bass, but the songs — tales of bitter, bickering grown-ups and injury-sustaining rock stars — are loud tantrums of little consequence. And Way to Normal tries way too hard to be funny, whether it’s the Elton John joke (“Hiroshima (B-B-B-Benny Hit His Head)”), the wounded-male-ego misfire (“Bitch Went Nuts”), or the self-censored cuss song (“Effington”). Even Folds’s knack for a well-placed f-bomb has devolved into a lazy device masquerading as irreverence. His attitude may remain young at heart, but his irony’s over the hill.

Related: Putting the pop into the Pops, On the racks: May 16, 2006, Gag reflex, More

Topics: CD Reviews , Elton John, Ben Folds, Ben Folds, More

| More

See more deals

view all

[ 02/19 ] 4-9 pm | Tom Tom Sunday: Celebrating the Big Beat of Tom Ardolino @ The Met

[ 02/19 ] Mary Poppins @ Providence Performing Arts Center

[ 02/19 ] "Nostalgia Machines" @ David Winton Bell Gallery

ARTICLES BY ZETH LUNDY

COTTON MATHER | KONTIKI [DELUXE EDITION] | February 14, 2012
When it was released in 1997, Cotton Mather's sophomore album racked up glowing critical huzzahs across the pond (not to mention big-ups from Oasis), yet dudded here in the States.

THE PUNCH BROTHERS | WHO'S FEELING YOUNG NOW? | February 07, 2012
For a group full of virtuosos, the Punch Brothers refuse to dole out prodigious string-murdering sessions.

AIR | LE VOYAGE DANS LA LUNE | January 31, 2012
It was inevitable that Air would one day be asked to soundtrack a colorized version of an iconic 1902 silent French film about moon exploration, right? There's the French thing, the moon thing, the kitsch-cool factor.

FUTURE OF THE LEFT | POLYMERS ARE FOREVER | January 17, 2012
Since we last heard from Future of the Left, Cardiff's greatest non-furry export lost founding member Kelson Mathias and gained two new ones.

ALEX CHILTON | FREE AGAIN: THE ''1970'' SESSIONS | January 10, 2012
Post–Box Tops and pre-Big Star, Alex Chilton was an 18-year-old Memphis boy on his way to his dual identity: former #1 pop hitmaker, perpetual underground hero.