Folds moves way beyond normal

By: Oliver Kleinenberg

Posted: 10/10/08

Ben Folds, the master of white middle-class piano pop, returns triumphantly to the piano keys to impress his followers and possibly gain fans with his album "Way to Normal."

His initial sound with former band Ben Folds Five was dominated with heavier piano and drum bashing. However, after the "Five" was dropped and Folds went solo, his music became softer and more melodic. "Way to Normal" returns with a bang by mixing the two sounds together.

The album's title, "Way to Normal," is contradictory because the musical and lyrical content on the tracks are beyond normal. The album begins with "Hiroshima," a track that resembles a concert atmosphere with background clapping and cheering. The only thing missing in the song is the couple making out in front of you and the ever-popular lighter raised in your hand. After realizing you're listening to a CD, Folds changes the tempo with an upbeat song, "Dr. Yang." The track tells the tale of a lovesick man discussing ways to regain his girlfriend with his shrink. On the CD's main track, "You Don't Know Me," Folds teams up with singer Regina Spektor for a duet about a long-term relationship where neither of the two really know each other. He even adds the "insane ex-girlfriend syndrome" in his song "Bitch Went Nuts," a ballad about a crazy girl who can't take the breakup and makes it her personal mission to ruin his life. The song "Effington" is a parody on the "f-word" and the town of Effingham, Ill. It contrasts living in a normal town (Normal, Ill.) with living in a town that defies the norm.

Unfortunately, the minute you start listening to the CD you feel deprived of material because of its brevity. Even with this minor drawback, most fans will be excited. Why? He's going to be touring again. "F" yeah.