Rockin' The Suburbs - Ben Folds

In the world of pianists, there is an established hierarchy. Elton John sits at the head of the table, wearing a pink feather boa and those star-shaped glasses he seems to like, whilst Billy Joel and Tori Amos swap anecdotes about politics between courses and Ray Charles orders an extra pudding from the waiter. Beethoven, Mozart, and all those folks are, of course, not worthy to sit at the table because everyone knows that classical music is WELL BORING. But who is that waiter? Well, it's Ben Folds, of course. Formerly the band leader of The Ben Folds Five, which had only three members, Folds has been a solo artist ever since new millennium: 2000. His brand of ...  Read the complete review

I was well prepared not to like "Rockin' the Suburbs". I'd fallen in love with Ben Folds Five's wondrous "Unauthorised Biography of Reinhold Messner" - but this was just Ben Folds sans the Five. Could he still cut it on his own? Short answer: yes. Long answer: This album confirms that Ben Folds is one of the best pianist/singer/songwriters around today. I'm no music expert, I just know this man can do things with a piano that make you wonder why it's such an under-used instrument in pop music today. What's even more amazing is that Ben plays most of the other instruments heard on the album too. Most ...  Read the complete review

I first came across Ben Folds when my sister lent me the whatever and ever album, I loved it, there was something about the songs that caught my attention, and from then on there was no going back. This is a fantastic album which was first released om September 2001 and Rockin' the Suburbs is one of my all time favourite Ben Folds songs, in fact its the most played song on my Ipod at the moment. He manages to bring such a mix of wit to his songs that sometimes all you need to do is listen to the lyrics and you'll be sat there with a huge smile on your face. I've been to see him in Concert a few times now, and the songs from this album get ...  Read the complete review

Its as if Ben Folds Five never disbanded - It was obvious that Ben Folds was the creative force behind his self-named band, but just how much he was that force is evident here - Its very much a 'pick and the reins and run' kind of feeling. Their last album, 'The Unauthorised Biography of Reinhold Messner' showed changes in the bands original sound, embracing a new, more tender and thoughtful side, and this is an approach that Folds have carried into his solo work. Songs such as 'The Luckiest' and 'Still Fighting It' and some of the prettiest, most thoughtful numbers that Folds has put his name to. There are also glimpses of fun-time Folds on here ...  Read the complete review