16 October 2008

Ben Folds - Way to Normal

Way to Normal (Epic) Ben Folds' third studio album. ***1/2

After several years, the piano rocking god has returned with a new slew of tunes and a new persona. Rockin’ the Suburbs (his first solo album) saw him as the spunky nerd poking fun at the MTV-watching high school kids, and Songs for Silverman had a calmer, father-like tone. On Way to Normal, Ben Folds has steeped into the more absurd, sometimes irrationally angry at the world. The most marked difference, though, is the use of electronics. No track better emphasizes that than “Free Coffee,” which is a fine track, but being surrounded by piano-heavy songs makes it feel out of place. The peak of the album is its center, the string-oriented “Cologne,” which harks back to the days of songs like “Army” from Ben Folds Five. This may be a transitional period for Folds, who, even with a less-than-enthusiastic entry here, is always sure to deliver a few wonderful moments.

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