Anyone heard/have an opinion of 'Songs for Silverman'?

[hiphopnation]

The new Ben Folds record?

I've had it on continuous repeat for about a week. While it has been a slow process it has completely grown on me and I feel he is at his height as a masterful songwriter. He's sharing a lot more of himself and has definitely grown up; Having a wife and kids has definitely changed his aesthetic. Some would say for the worse because it's smoothed over some of those rough, adolescent edges that led to some of those irreverent, in-your-face songs of Ben Folds Five.

I have to take issue with that,however. The songs are personal, painful, beautiful, high-energy, emotive, poignant, and storied. I'm so glad he's moving forward as an artist despite what critics have to say about him. Most responses to the album have been positive ones, however. Marc Hogan of Pitchfork Media laid into him and gave him this acerbic, stinging criticism:

http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/f/folds_ben/songs-for-silverman.shtml

I'm interested to hear what folks think of it. I could go into a song by song analysis but I don't want to color anyone's experience before they've had a chance to listen.

P.S. Wow...this is my first post in a very long time. hi everyone! :hi:

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. I think it's really good, actually.

Love the song for Eliot Smith and "Landed" is a great track.

[hiphopnation]

3. Yes.

Love the Elliot Smith tribute.

"Elliot man you played a fine guitar/and some dirty basketball." Vintage!

I don't listen to commercial radio anymore, but it seems to me that "Landed" would be a great radio single from the album.

Were you a big BFF fan? Seems to me that a lot of the purists (as is predictable) are complaining about it not measuring up to the BFF material to which I say "pfft!".

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

6. I was, actually.

This is the first I've heard of Ben Folds since the "Messner" CD, in fact. I happen to think it does measure up quite well to the BFF material.

[hiphopnation]

9. Agreed.

I mean, it's different but what kind of artist would he be if he wasn't growing and ergo his art morphing as well? Well...he wouldn't BE an artist at that point.

I've had this conversation a lot these days and I think the release of this album as been the catalyst for it; this idea that an artist is forever chained to all of the material that he/she has released previously and that it's very hard to escape being viewed through the prism of what you've done in the past.

You should definitely check out 'Rockin the Suburbs' which is his first solo record. Oh my, it's breathtakingly gorgeous and painful and spirited and ... wow can't say enough great things about it.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

10. I hear that a lot.

The song "Rockin the Suburbs" itself sorta just turned me off a little. But I'll probably try it out as soon as I'm not so f'ing poor.

[hiphopnation]

11. You kind of have to ignore that song.

It's definitely "cheeky Ben" and I think it barely succeeds as a polemic against suburbia. Pretty juvenile, actually. But some of the other tunes on the album are just great. "Ascent of Stan" and "Still Fighting It" come immediately to mind. Great stuff.

[ghostsofgiants]

2. I give it five or six thumbs up

Good stuff.

[Jessica]

4. I love it ...

Jesusland is great.

[hiphopnation]

7. Agreed!

One of the criticisms I read of that song in particular was that (I'm paraphrasing) "instead of Ben using the song as a biting criticism of the over-commercialization and consumerist nature of middle America he allows the song to flounder and it delivers no resounding blow to its intended target."

But my feeling was, the song is about how Jesus would respond while walking through some of these conservative, consumerist, "Godly", enclaves in America. It sometimes irks me when critics string-up artists for not doing the job that politicians and concerned citizens should be doing. It's a damn piece of art; and a mighty fine one at that.

[RandomKoolzip]

5. Haven't bought it yet, but I LOOOOVE Ben Folds.

His last three EP's were the best stuff he's done since the first BFF album; who knew he was such a good drummer?

Anyways, "Songs for Silverman" is the next music purchase I'll make. I'll buy anything Ben puts out.


PS, when I lived in Nashville, Ben lived in the same neighborhood as me. I used to run into him all the time, and he was a super-mega-nice guy.

[hiphopnation]

8. YEah

I haven't yet heard those EPs but my brother (huge Ben fan) says they're fantastic.

Ben played ALL the drums on 'Rockin' the Suburbs'! He's amazing! I know, because I'm a professional drummer! He's nothing short of a highly skilled, adept, funky, well-rounded drummer/percussionist. Add it to his list of accomplishments.

Yes, 'Silverman' is recorded at a studio in Nashville that was going to be closed down or sold. He bought it at the last minute. I think 'Rockin' was recorded there as well. Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and many more recorded there.

Wow, that's great you met him. He seems like quite a card. Can't wait to see his show.

Definitely get 'Silverman'. It may take some time, but it will grow on you. It's fantastic.

[hiphopnation]

12. just one to keep the dicsussion going...

:kick: