Ben Folds Five (album)

Last updated
Ben Folds Five
Ben Folds Five - Ben Folds Five.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedAugust 8, 1995
RecordedFebruary 1995
StudioWave Castle, North Carolina
Genre
Length46:14
Label Passenger
Producer Caleb Southern
Ben Folds Five chronology
Ben Folds Five
(1995)
Whatever and Ever Amen
(1997)
Singles from Ben Folds Five
  1. "Jackson Cannery"
    Released: 1994
  2. "Underground"
    Released: April 8, 1996
  3. "Where's Summer B.?"
    Released: June 7, 1996
  4. "Philosophy"
    Released: 1996
  5. "Uncle Walter"
    Released: 1996

Ben Folds Five is the debut studio album by American alternative rock band Ben Folds Five, released on August 8, 1995. A non-traditional rock album, it featured an innovative indie-pop sound, and excluded lead guitars completely. [1] The album was released on the small independent label Passenger Records, owned by Caroline Records, a subsidiary of Virgin/EMI. Ben Folds Five received positive reviews, and spawned five singles. The record failed to chart, but sparked an intense bidding war eventually won by Sony Music. [2] Several live versions of songs originally released on Ben Folds Five reappeared later as b-sides or on compilations.

Contents

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [1]
Chicago Tribune Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [3]
Drowned in Sound 9/10 [4]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [5]
Entertainment Weekly B+ [6]
Houston Chronicle Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [7]
NME 9/10 [8]
Pitchfork 9.6/10 [9]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [10]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [11]

Ben Folds Five received positive reviews from NME , Rolling Stone , Pitchfork , and Entertainment Weekly . Michael Gallucci praised the album as "a potent, and extremely fun collection of postmodern rock ditties that comes off as a pleasantly workable combination of Tin Pan Alley showmanship, Todd Rundgren-style power pop, and myriad alt-rock sensibilities." [1] Robert Christgau of The Village Voice selected "Boxing" as a "choice cut". [12]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Ben Folds, except where noted.

No.TitleLyricsLength
1."Jackson Cannery" 3:23
2."Philosophy" 4:36
3."Julianne" 2:30
4."Where's Summer B.?"Folds, Darren Jessee 4:07
5."Alice Childress"Folds, Anna Goodman 4:34
6."Underground" 4:11
7."Sports & Wine" 2:58
8."Uncle Walter" 3:51
9."Best Imitation of Myself" 2:38
10."Video" 4:07
11."The Last Polka"Folds, Anna Goodman4:34
12."Boxing" 4:45

Personnel

Production

Charts

Related Research Articles

<i>My Generation</i> (album) 1965 album by The Who

My Generation is the debut studio album by English rock band the Who, released on 3 December 1965 by Brunswick Records in the United Kingdom, and Festival Records in Australia. In the United States, it was released on 25 April 1966 by Decca Records as The Who Sings My Generation, with a different cover and a slightly altered track listing. Besides the members of the Who, being Roger Daltrey (vocals), Pete Townshend (guitar), John Entwistle (bass) and Keith Moon (drums), the album features contributions by session musician Nicky Hopkins (piano).

<i>The Queen Is Dead</i> 1986 studio album by the Smiths

The Queen Is Dead is the third studio album by English rock band the Smiths. Released on 16 June 1986 in the United Kingdom by Rough Trade Records, and on 23 June 1986 in the US by Sire Records, it spent 22 weeks on the UK Albums Chart, peaking at number two. It also peaked at number 70 on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart, and was certified Gold by the RIAA in late 1990.

<i>Exile on Main St.</i> 1972 studio album by the Rolling Stones

Exile on Main St. is the 10th British and 12th American studio album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, released on 12 May 1972 by Rolling Stones Records. Recording began in 1969 in England during sessions for Sticky Fingers and continued in mid-1971 at a rented villa in the South of France named Nellcôte while the band lived abroad as tax exiles. A collage of various images, the album's artwork, according to frontman Mick Jagger, reflects the Rolling Stones as "runaway outlaws using the blues as its weapon against the world", showcasing "feeling of joyful isolation, grinning in the face of a scary and unknown future".

<i>More Songs About Buildings and Food</i> 1978 album by Talking Heads

More Songs About Buildings and Food is the second studio album by American rock band Talking Heads, released on July 14, 1978, by Sire Records. It was the first of three albums produced by collaborator Brian Eno, and saw the band move toward a danceable style, crossing singer David Byrne's unusual delivery with new emphasis on the rhythm section composed of bassist Tina Weymouth and drummer Chris Frantz.

<i>Parklife</i> 1994 studio album by Blur

Parklife is the third studio album by the English rock band Blur, released on 25 April 1994 on Food Records. After disappointing sales for their previous album Modern Life Is Rubbish (1993), Parklife returned Blur to prominence in the UK, helped by its four hit singles: "Girls & Boys", "End of a Century", "Parklife" and "To the End".

<i>I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You</i> 1967 studio album by Aretha Franklin

I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You is the tenth studio album by American singer Aretha Franklin released on March 10, 1967, by Atlantic Records. It was Franklin's first release under her contract with the label, following her departure from Columbia Records after nine unsuccessful Jazz standard albums, and marked a commercial breakthrough for her, becoming her first top 10 album in the United States, reaching number 2 on the Billboard 200. Two singles were released to promote the album: "Respect" and "I Never Loved a Man ". The former topped the Billboard Hot 100, while latter reached the top 10.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Folds Five</span> American alternative rock band

Ben Folds Five is an American alternative rock trio formed in 1993 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The group comprises Ben Folds, Robert Sledge and Darren Jessee. The group achieved success in the alternative, indie and pop music scenes. Their single "Brick" from the second album, Whatever and Ever Amen (1997), gained airplay on many mainstream radio stations.

<i>Another Green World</i> 1975 studio album by Eno

Another Green World is the third studio album by English musician Brian Eno, released by Island Records in November 1975. Produced by Eno and Rhett Davies, it features contributions from a small core of musicians, including Robert Fripp (guitar), Phil Collins (drums), Percy Jones, and Rod Melvin (piano). John Cale plays viola on two tracks.

<i>Whatever and Ever Amen</i> 1997 studio album by Ben Folds Five

Whatever and Ever Amen is the second album by Ben Folds Five, released in 1997. Three singles were released from the album, including the lead single, "Battle of Who Could Care Less", which received significant airplay on alternative radio and on MTV, and peaked at #26 on the UK Singles Chart and #22 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, and the band's biggest hit, "Brick", which was a top-40 song in numerous countries.

<i>Dirty Mind</i> 1980 studio album by Prince

Dirty Mind is the third studio album by American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Prince. It was released on October 8, 1980, by Warner Bros. Records and produced entirely by Prince at his home studio in Minneapolis, Minnesota earlier that year from May to June. Dirty Mind has been considered by critics to be his most creative and boldest album, setting the standard for his artistic direction in the following years.

<i>13</i> (Blur album) 1999 studio album by Blur

13 is the sixth studio album by English alternative rock band Blur, released on 15 March 1999. Continuing the stylistic shift away from the Britpop sound of the band's early career, 13 explores experimental, psychedelic and electronic music.

<i>Talking Book</i> 1972 studio album by Stevie Wonder

Talking Book is the fifteenth studio album by American singer, songwriter, and musician Stevie Wonder, released on October 27, 1972, by Tamla, a subsidiary of Motown Records. This album and Music of My Mind, released earlier the same year, are generally considered to mark the start of Wonder's "classic period". The sound of the album is sharply defined by Wonder's use of keyboards and synthesizers.

<i>Elastica</i> (album) 1995 studio album by Elastica

Elastica is the debut studio album by English alternative rock band Elastica. It was released on 14 March, 1995 through Deceptive Records in the UK and DCG/Geffen Records internationally. The album was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize. This is the only album to feature the original line-up, and guitarist Donna Matthews.

<i>Black and Blue</i> 1976 studio album by The Rolling Stones

Black and Blue is the 13th British and 15th American studio album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, released on 23 April 1976 by Rolling Stones Records.

<i>Fun House</i> (The Stooges album) 1970 studio album by the Stooges

Fun House is the second studio album by American rock band the Stooges. It was released on July 7, 1970 by Elektra Records. Though initially commercially unsuccessful, Fun House developed a strong cult following. Like its predecessor and its successor, it is generally considered integral in the development of punk rock.

<i>Here Come the Warm Jets</i> 1974 studio album by Eno

Here Come the Warm Jets is the debut solo album by British musician Brian Eno, released on Island Records in January 1974. It was recorded and produced by Eno following his departure from Roxy Music, and blends glam and pop stylings with avant-garde approaches. The album features numerous guests, including several of Eno's former Roxy Music bandmates along with members of Hawkwind, Matching Mole, Pink Fairies, Sharks, Sweetfeed, and King Crimson. Eno devised unusual methods and instructions to coax unexpected results from the various musicians.

<i>For Your Pleasure</i> 1973 studio album by Roxy Music

For Your Pleasure is the second album by English rock band Roxy Music, released by Island Records in 1973. It was their last to feature synthesiser and sound specialist Brian Eno.

<i>Oracular Spectacular</i> 2007 studio album by MGMT

Oracular Spectacular is the debut studio album by the American band MGMT, released on October 2, 2007, by RED Ink and physically on January 22, 2008, by Columbia. It was produced by Dave Fridmann and is the band's first release of new content, being recorded from March to April 2007. Promotion for the album started as early as June 2007, when the song "Weekend Wars" was given away in summer issues of free monthly magazine Nöjesguiden in Stockholm, Sweden. Matching CDs could be picked up for free in all stores in three different shopping malls around Stockholm from June 26 to July 31. The album was also promoted with three singles: "Time to Pretend", "Electric Feel" and "Kids". Both "Time to Pretend" and "Kids" were re-recorded for the album; they were originally included on the band's previous release Time to Pretend (2005), with the opening track serving as a "mission statement" and the theme continuing through the album's subsequent tracks.

<i>Transference</i> (album) 2010 studio album by Spoon

Transference is the seventh studio album by the American indie rock band Spoon. It was released on January 18, 2010 in Europe and on January 19 in North America. In Australia, it was released on January 15 through Spunk Records.

<i>The Voyager</i> (Jenny Lewis album) 2014 studio album by Jenny Lewis

The Voyager is the second studio album and third overall by American singer-songwriter Jenny Lewis. The album was released on July 29, 2014, by Warner Bros. Records. The album was primarily produced by Ryan Adams at his studio, PAX AM.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Gallucci, Michael. "Ben Folds Five – Ben Folds Five". AllMusic . Retrieved May 31, 2012.
  2. Kurutz, Steve. Ben Folds Five at AllMusic . Retrieved May 31, 2012.
  3. Stewart, Allison (November 30, 1995). "Ben Folds Five: Ben Folds Five (Caroline)". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  4. Smith, Jon (November 29, 2001). "Album Review: Ben Folds Five – Ben Folds Five". Drowned in Sound . Archived from the original on November 25, 2012. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
  5. Larkin, Colin (2011). "Ben Folds Five". The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th concise ed.). Omnibus Press. ISBN   0-85712-595-8.
  6. Mirkin, Steven (July 28, 1995). "Ben Folds Five". Entertainment Weekly . p. 62. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
  7. Arnold, Gina (August 13, 1995). "Ben Folds Five Is Catchy and Fresh". Houston Chronicle . Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  8. "Ben Folds Five: Ben Folds Five". NME . April 27, 1996. p. 53.
  9. Schreiber, Ryan. "Ben Folds Five: Ben Folds Five". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on March 11, 2000. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
  10. Cohen, Jason (October 5, 1995). "Ben Folds: Ben Folds Five". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on November 15, 2007. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  11. Sarig, Roni (2004). "Ben Folds Five". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. pp.  61–62. ISBN   0-7432-0169-8.
  12. Christgau, Robert. "Ben Folds Five: Ben Folds Five". RobertChristgau.com. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  13. "australian-charts.com Ben Folds Five - Ben Folds Five" (ASP). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  14. "ベン・フォールズ・ファイヴ-リリース-ORICON STYLE-ミュージック" [Highest position and charting weeks of Ben Folds Five by Ben Folds Five]. oricon.co.jp (in Japanese). Oricon Style . Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  15. "RIAJ > The Record > May 1997 > Certified Awards (March 1997)" (PDF). Recording Industry Association of Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 23, 2014. Retrieved February 2, 2014.