- Audio CD (31 Jan 2000)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: CD
- Label: Caroline
- ASIN: B000024LLQ
- Other Editions: Audio CD | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
5,179 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
- #84 in Music > Folk & Songwriter > Singer-Songwriter
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Like the best guitar heroes, Ben Folds, pianist and leader of a guitar-less trio called the Ben Folds Five, commands and fuels his small, tightly wound ensemble with an authoritative, nearly virtuosic style. Folds, based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, borrows from everywhere but lends new inspiration and insight to the instrument's possibilities--he's the Jimi Hendrix of the baby grand. His frenetic key-pounding eclipses old-time styles from honky-tonk to Jerry Lee Lewis rag, and he out-plinks megastars such as Elton John and Billy Joel while sifting them both through the mondo hammerings of classic pop-loving alternative keyboard bashers like Todd Rundgren and Squeeze's Jools Holland. To complement Folds-the-pianist's clean and bright ivory tinkerings, Folds-the-singer's clear and dynamic tenor swirls through Folds-the-songwriter's very capably crafted, sugary pop gems. "Philosophy" starts with a rolling Joel-like intro, slips into a Rundgrenish verse and chorus--complete with the perfect Beatlesque harmonies of bassist Robert Sledge and drummer Darren Jessee--and then breaks out in an overdriven piano quote from Gershwin in the climactic solo. "Underground" Sgt. Peppers us with faux theatrics and then plunges into a soul-gospel groove about the joys of the alternative rock scene. "Uncle Walter" is a character sketch Ray Davies wishes he wrote but couldn't; "Boxing" is an imagined confab between Muhammad Ali and Howard Cosell that Tom Waits wishes he wrote but wouldn't. The rest of Ben Folds Five's debut achievement just does what any other timeless summer record should: it makes you feel sunny enough inside to last all through the year. --Roni Sarig
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
If you are at all new to the Ben Folds Five experience, i suggest you start where they did; with the self titled debut album. There is not a dull moment on the whole CD. Every track is pure musical genius, however, clearly the band have not decided which musical path to take at this point which i think is beneficial in the debut as it displays the variety of styles which the trio are capable of projecting. On first listen, you may find it slightly off beat and difficult to "get into" but the second time you press play you will be astounded by the sheer melodic beauty of tracks such as Philosophy, Where's Summer B, and the unforgettable Sports and Wine. The lyrics are easy to relate to and hilarious references to Uncle Walter spitting while he is talking, with tobacco rolling down his chin, makes listening to this CD such an enjoyable experience, you'll be so sad when it's finished, you'll just listen to it all over again! For the sake of your smile, Buy this album! It will make you enjoy life even more!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
If you want some inventive, original, uplifting music then you NEED this album. Ben Folds Five are a three-piece of piano, bass and drums like you have never heard before and their songs range from quietly uplifting to blatantly cheerful and everything inbetween. It is music you can never grow tired of and which is unmatched by any other band I've ever heard. For any one who really appreciates what music should be then this album should definitely be in your basket.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Chris Evans first introduced me to Ben Folds when Underground was his record of the week back in 95! Since then i bought the album and i have been a total ben folds disciple!
This first album Rocks! From the wicked Best imatation through to the beautiful waltz of Boxing. I have seen the Ben Folds five seven times in London and Ben Folds twice!
He is God and long may he reign!
This first album Rocks! From the wicked Best imatation through to the beautiful waltz of Boxing. I have seen the Ben Folds five seven times in London and Ben Folds twice!
He is God and long may he reign!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Cracking album
Great album, ranging from love songs, some great close harmony singing and brilliant piano playing. Oh, and some real anger as well!
Published on 15 May 2009 by Ricolas
Great fun
Love this record.
Just absolutely love it.
The sheer joy and energy is enough to make me listen to it again and again. Read more
Just absolutely love it.
The sheer joy and energy is enough to make me listen to it again and again. Read more
Published on 15 Aug 2008 by WhiteCrow
Ben Folds best work
An energetic raw introduction to this eccentric trio. An unusual combo of piano & vocals (Ben Folds), bass and drums works surprisingly well, with Folds hammering-chords more than... Read more
Published on 2 Feb 2008 by wiz
A modern musical genius
This cd is one of the finest in my collection, no matter how often I listen to it it still blows me away, the best place to start on Ben Folds Five.
Published on 29 Jan 2007 by Mr. T. D. Jones
Best impulse buy ever
I bought this cd after seeing a short piece about bf5 on VH1. This is the best cd I own, just ahead of every other bf5 cds I have! Read more
Published on 13 Oct 2004 by "rob_con"
Something fresh...at last!
I don't know about this album (as i don't yet own it), but having downloaded the majority of tracks that BFF recorded (I'm currently waiting on delivery of 3 of their cds) I feel... Read more
Published on 16 April 2004 by Patrick Alex Fleck
Easily the best album in my collection
A friend of mind recommended BFF, so I decided to start with the original album. That was quite possibly the best music buy I've ever made. Read more
Published on 3 July 2003 by "andy_abel"
i like this album more than chicken nuggets, but only just
Chicken nuggets are not very much like this album, they do not taste good raw. This album is raw, but it sounds great. Read more
Published on 17 Jun 2002
A great chill out album
Everyone has in their cd collection those cds that never get played and then there are those cds that find their way back to the hi-fi time and time again regardless of age. Read more
Published on 25 April 2001
This rates as one of the best debut albulm ever!
The whole albulm is covered in glorious tracks. With the lyrics perfectly fitting into the music. None of the songs present weak links, with the best songs being Juilianne,... Read more
Published on 4 Oct 2000 by rd110@york.ac.uk
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