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Track Listings
| 1. Annie Waits |
| 2. Zak And Sara |
| 3. Still Fighting It |
| 4. Gone |
| 5. Fred Jones Part 2 |
| 6. The Ascent Of Stan |
| 7. Losing Lisa |
| 8. Carrying Cathy |
| 9. Not The Same |
| 10. Rockin' The Suburbs |
| 11. Fired |
| 12. The Luckiest |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
On the evidence of Rockin' The Suburbs, Ben Folds' decision to jettison the two-piece Five that had backed him on four largely excellent albums has not, thankfully, resulted in any significant shift in trajectory. Ben Folds Five were only getting better as they went along, gradually discovering the confidence not to hide their musical uniqueness--there have been too few grand piano-led power trios--and lyrical intelligence behind Barenaked Ladies-style undergraduate gags. Songs such as "Mess" and "Brick" were harbingers of an extraordinary new songwriting talent, worthy of comparison to Folds' obvious idols Elvis Costello and Paul Simon . Only the title track harks back to Folds' fondness for comedy, and it is by far the weakest track here. The rest is mournful, reflective and, at best, quite magnificent: Folds' hymns to his family, "Still Fighting It" and "The Luckiest", are shot through with an honesty all the more courageous for its rarity in the alternative rock sector, and his character sketches ("Carrying Cathy", "Losing Lisa", "Zak & Sara") leaven their acerbic essence with a generous compassion. Folds' second solo effort is his best album yet, and the remainder of his career must be anticipated with equal parts expectation and impatience. --Andrew Mueller
Product Description
CD
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
A terrific album! It's as if there never was a Five, or Three or Two for that matter. It's clear that it's really only been Ben Folds One.
This is emminently listenable and driven by the strength of Folds piano playing - in one breath delicate, moving and soaring, in the next aggressively punctuating his sardonic and humourous lyrics. The lyrics are honest and human. Folds speaks to us like only a handful of extraordinarily gifted song-writers: Colin Moulding and Andy Partridge of XTC, the guy from the Eels, Lloyd Cole and, I'm ashamed to admit it, but early Billy Joel from the 70s.
Gotta agree with Amazon reviewer; there's not enough good pop/rock out there that's got the piano as its centrepiece.
Personal faves amongst these tracks is Annie Waits, Still Fighting It, The Ascent Of Stan and Losing Lisa. But really there's not a bad song here.
This is a ultimately a personal and triumphant record that deserves to be added to your collection.
It would be great to hear this on radio. Radio 2 or even Xfm, are you listening?
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By James Packer
Format:Audio CD
BFF had a (deservedly) loyal fanbase, so I guess many of them would disagree with me, but in my opinion this is a better than any of those released by the 5. A mark of genius in songwriting is to make the complicated sound simple. Ben Folds does this time and time again on Rocking the Suburbs, as almost every track features some of or all of: weird chord progressions, modulation, huge wall-of-sound harmonies, intricate rhythms and awesome musicianship. The fact that it all fits together so seamlessly, that it sounds so organic and un-contrived indicates that this is a masterpiece.
The range of songs is fantastic. Many sound similar to his songs whilst with the band, such as Gone and The Ascent of Stan. However, it is on the barer, more stripped down songs where this album really comes into it's own. Still Fighting It, Fred Jones Part II and The Luckiest are three of the most gorgeous, heartrending songs you will ever hear. In particular, The Luckiest is love captured in musical form, and you would have to be dead inside not to empathise with the ache in his voice as Folds imagines never meeting his true love.
Any song I haven't mentioned is still an absolute gem, there is simply no filler on the album. The title track is often slated, given it is not typical Ben Folds fodder, but it is very tongue in cheeky and hugely catchy, and difficult not to like. The first two songs sound lighter, and have a distinctly pop edge to them, but again have hooks to spare, and taken in conjunction with track 3 provide one of the best openings to a record I've ever heard.
His next solo effort is imminent, so fingers crossed for more of the same.
The range of songs is fantastic. Many sound similar to his songs whilst with the band, such as Gone and The Ascent of Stan. However, it is on the barer, more stripped down songs where this album really comes into it's own. Still Fighting It, Fred Jones Part II and The Luckiest are three of the most gorgeous, heartrending songs you will ever hear. In particular, The Luckiest is love captured in musical form, and you would have to be dead inside not to empathise with the ache in his voice as Folds imagines never meeting his true love.
Any song I haven't mentioned is still an absolute gem, there is simply no filler on the album. The title track is often slated, given it is not typical Ben Folds fodder, but it is very tongue in cheeky and hugely catchy, and difficult not to like. The first two songs sound lighter, and have a distinctly pop edge to them, but again have hooks to spare, and taken in conjunction with track 3 provide one of the best openings to a record I've ever heard.
His next solo effort is imminent, so fingers crossed for more of the same.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Compared to the Ben Folds Five records this is very much a studio album. This isn't the sometimes raw sound of his old band, this is the sound of a brilliant musician buffing a great set of songs until they positively shine. It's kind of cruel to point it out, but on this showing Ben Folds doesn't miss his ex-bandmates. He plays most of the instruments on this CD and demonstrates a mastery of them all. Even more than his work with BFF these songs have a personal touch and power than can really strike home. But above all, this collections of songs demonstrate that Ben Folds is a gifted composer and he can still rock a piano like no other
I'm loathed to pick a favourite ("Still Fighting It") and honestly can't pick a weakest track. There are no fillers here! Yes, the title track is a bit of a joke as Ben has a dig at American angst rock (despite what some bizarrely say in other reviews here, he's not talking about himself), but it's still a great track!
If you loved Ben Folds Five you'll more than likely love this. Personally I think it's every bit as strong as BFF's amazing first album. Ben Folds can and has gone on from strength to strength.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
This is by far the best record I have heard this year. Although I have always liked the "5", I found this album ensured that I became a real fan. Every song on this record is nothing short of fantastic, from the superb "Annie waits" to the beautiful, sad "Luckiest". Every track on this album has its own story, and each is excellent in its own right. Particular stand out tracks include the first track "Annie Waits", "Zak and Sara", and "Fred Jones II", the sequel to "Cigarette" on "Whatever and ever Amen" (an excellent Ben Folds 5 album). The title track "Rockin' the suburbs" is far from weak, and is an excellent break from the (beautiful) melancholy that consists most of the rest of the album. On first listen it comes across as an technically superb album, with some excellent hum along tunes. After a few listens, however, you begin to pick up the lyrics and see where its real genius lies. I would recommened this Cd to anyone, from existing ben folds fans to people who've never heard anything by him before but want something a bit different- and will surely become fans after listening to this record. I cannot recommened this album enough!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By B. Marwood
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD
Having established a reputation as a talented writer of pop songs with his former outfit Ben Folds Five, Folds' debut solo album may take some people by surprise with its tender nature. 'Rockin the Suburbs' is essentially a collection of songs about personal anguish, from the girl waiting patiently for her date who never shows (Annie Waits), through to tales of religious exploitation (Not The Same) and unstable girls reliant on other people (Carrying Cathy). These songs are all light in sound, piano-led ballads most reminiscent of old BF5 songs like 'Brick', for some this will be a disappointment and certainly the first time I heard it I didn't find it instantly accessible.
On first play though there is one standout track, as just as the songs of one-night stands with girls who look like Axl Rose seem firmly in his past, Folds returns to familiar pop ground with the title track 'Rockin' the Suburbs'. Upbeat and poppy, with guitars and synthesisers, Folds offers a biting critique of the noticeably less talented of today's top stars. Although he doesn't name names, the remarkably clever styles of songwriting make it obvious who he's taken aim at: "Dunno how much I can take/Give me something I can break" is a good line, as Folds imitates thoroughly-whinging nu-metal meathead Fred Durst, and the bass solo at the end clearly takes a chunk out of KoRn. As all this is going on, Ben even manages to namecheck the people who *are* worthy of credit (Quiet Riot, Michael Jackson, Jon Bon Jovi).
To say that the best track on the album harks back to BF5 days should not take anything away from the rest of the album.
... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Listen Again
I wonder how you are first introduced to this album, or CD, or whatever you call it. Personally, my brother sent me the CD from America because my nephew was most impressed by... Read more
Published on 6 Aug 2010 by David Hare
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rockin' my Stockin's off
This is the first Ben Folds album i ever bought. I first heard Ben Folds' music years ago without even knowing it when my friend compiled an album for me. Read more
Published on 7 Feb 2010 by A. Hayman
5.0 out of 5 stars
I heard this album and was "Not The Same" again...
OK, I'll put my cards on the table. For me, "Rockin' The Suburbs" is one of the greatest albums ever made. Read more
Published on 14 April 2009 by A. Sweeney
5.0 out of 5 stars
Even better than the Five
This is a superb album that massively surpasses all the Ben Folds Five back catalogue in my opinion. Read more
Published on 22 Jun 2008 by J. A. Marczak
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best of Ben
In my opinion Ben Folds has never made a bad record but having said that this is easily his best - infact it's probably one of the best all-round albums I own. Read more
Published on 27 May 2006 by Nicky P
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely ASTOUNDING!
I only bought this album on the recommendation of someone on the Net and was really unsure as to whether it would be worth my £10. But I was not disappointed at all. Read more
Published on 20 Mar 2006 by "teuchy"
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ben Folds - Genius!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What more can I say? When I first heard this album I couldn't stop smiling....3 years later I'm still grinning!! His talent is even greater when hearing him live! Read more
Published on 16 Oct 2005 by "layney123"
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent Talent
I brought this album on the strength of the live album.
What can i say i was not dissapointed an absolutely brilliant classic pop album. Read more
Published on 17 Dec 2004 by "jakesnake15"
4.0 out of 5 stars
A classic
This is an extremely good album from the fantastic musician Ben Folds. After breaking Ben Folds Five, this is his first solo album. Read more
Published on 12 Jan 2004 by Mitch
4.0 out of 5 stars
Ben does it once again
I've been a Ben Folds fan since I saw him on later with jools holland back in 1995 promoting the first BFF album, and I've been hooked since. Read more
Published on 11 Dec 2003
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