UnforgettableLemon
Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS
Okay, so I've had this for a few days now. I have very, very mixed feelings about this album. I didn't like it much at all in the beginning, but it's growing on me. My general impression is that Ben is trying to recover some of the fanbase he alienated with Songs for Silverman. That album was, admittedly, not his best album. For me, it was too musically same-y. Lyrically, it struck a good balance between his sincerity and scathing cynicism.
This time, the music is frantic and largely as angry as the lyrics. It's as if the last two albums are the distilled halves that made Rockin' the Suburbs so good. As I said, I'm coming to a better place with the album, probably a 7 or 7.5 out of 10. But it may go up, depending on how much I end up liking the individual tracks. As a whole, however, it makes no sense and does not flow. It's very disappointing and shows again how much Darren Jesse and Robert Sledge contributed to the cohesiveness of all three Ben Folds Five albums.
1. "Hiroshima (B B B Benny Hit His Head)" - This is a musically fun, amusing anecdote about Ben playing in Japan after busting his head open. It's self deprecating and fun, no complaints here. (8/10)
2. Dr. Yang - One of the more musically interesting tracks, but the vocal melody and lyrics are sub-par. (6/10)
3. The Frown Song - Quickly becoming my favorite song on the album. More dynamic arrangement, good melody in which to embed a bileful song. (10/10)
4. You Don't Know Me (w/ Regina Spektor) - The first single and an obvious highlight. It's got both sentiment and an angry underbelly. Obviously inspired by his recent divorce, and I like it more now than when it was released. (9.5/10)
5. Before Cologne - musical prelude. No rating really needed, but it is pretty.
6. Cologne - seems to meander a bit, but it's gorgeous and lush. (8/10)
7. Errant Dog - Awful, mildy amusing, but awful. Ben trying to be smartass Ben with a fast but boring arrangement. (4/10)
8. Free Coffee - Sounds like a reject from Fear of Pop. Interesting concept (celebrites get free stuff when they don't need it free), but a bit cliche. (5/10)
9. Bitch Went Nuts - Misognystic and stupid. The un-clever sequel to "Song for the Dumped." (2/10)
10. Effington - One of the "funny" songs that actually works, and has a great choral introduction. Another highlight. (8/10)
11. Kylie from Connecticut - One of Ben's character portraits, not quite up there with Fred Jones Pt 2 or Alice Childress, but strong nevertheless. (7.5/10)
Those are my thoughts. Does anyone else even care anymore?
This time, the music is frantic and largely as angry as the lyrics. It's as if the last two albums are the distilled halves that made Rockin' the Suburbs so good. As I said, I'm coming to a better place with the album, probably a 7 or 7.5 out of 10. But it may go up, depending on how much I end up liking the individual tracks. As a whole, however, it makes no sense and does not flow. It's very disappointing and shows again how much Darren Jesse and Robert Sledge contributed to the cohesiveness of all three Ben Folds Five albums.
1. "Hiroshima (B B B Benny Hit His Head)" - This is a musically fun, amusing anecdote about Ben playing in Japan after busting his head open. It's self deprecating and fun, no complaints here. (8/10)
2. Dr. Yang - One of the more musically interesting tracks, but the vocal melody and lyrics are sub-par. (6/10)
3. The Frown Song - Quickly becoming my favorite song on the album. More dynamic arrangement, good melody in which to embed a bileful song. (10/10)
4. You Don't Know Me (w/ Regina Spektor) - The first single and an obvious highlight. It's got both sentiment and an angry underbelly. Obviously inspired by his recent divorce, and I like it more now than when it was released. (9.5/10)
5. Before Cologne - musical prelude. No rating really needed, but it is pretty.
6. Cologne - seems to meander a bit, but it's gorgeous and lush. (8/10)
7. Errant Dog - Awful, mildy amusing, but awful. Ben trying to be smartass Ben with a fast but boring arrangement. (4/10)
8. Free Coffee - Sounds like a reject from Fear of Pop. Interesting concept (celebrites get free stuff when they don't need it free), but a bit cliche. (5/10)
9. Bitch Went Nuts - Misognystic and stupid. The un-clever sequel to "Song for the Dumped." (2/10)
10. Effington - One of the "funny" songs that actually works, and has a great choral introduction. Another highlight. (8/10)
11. Kylie from Connecticut - One of Ben's character portraits, not quite up there with Fred Jones Pt 2 or Alice Childress, but strong nevertheless. (7.5/10)
Those are my thoughts. Does anyone else even care anymore?
