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Product details
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Track Listings
| 1. Narcolepsy |
| 2. Don't Change Your Plans |
| 3. Mess |
| 4. Magic |
| 5. Hospital Song |
| 6. Army |
| 7. Your Redneck Past |
| 8. Your Most Valuable Possession |
| 9. Regrets |
| 10. Jane |
| 11. Lullabye |
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This was the second Ben Folds album I bought after accidentally seeing him perform live (dual-headlining with the Divine Comedy); the first being "Whatever and Ever Amen". While "The Unauthorised Biography of Reinhold Messner" is a good and balanced album, I'd say it is less loveable than the other two I now own ("Rockin' The Suburbs" and "Whatever and Ever Amen"). I'd say the tracks are much more slow growers than on the other two albums, apart from the instantly loveable "Army", which is just wonderfully bouncy and sing-a-long. Another stand-out track is "Mess"; a powerful (Divine Comedyesque in the style of "Lost Property" from "Regeneration") rambling narrative with a forward-moving backing.
Other interesting tracks, I'd say, are "Narcolepsy", a bit of an oddity in waltz time and the other 3/4 track, "Lullaby". There are the usual Folds bitter and sad songs about love and relationships; not quite as notable as those on his other albums, however.
Overall, I like it quite a bit, but admit that I don't play it as often as the other two I have. I'd recommend buying this album, but only after having listened to some of the other Ben Folds stuff first. It isn't the best one to start with.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
What a shame that this turned out to be the last album from the Ben Folds Five, as they have sadly split up. This is an interesting, experimental album that probably won't hit you straight away like the first 2 albums, but it will grow on you over time. For newcomers to the Ben Folds Five it is probably best to start on the first two albums and then you will appreciate it more. The overall feel of the album is more melancholy than before. Ben Folds is older, and he's in a reflective mood, blaming himself for life's mistakes on songs like Mess and Regrets. That's not to say that he's lost his sense of humour - Army and Redneck Past will keep you chuckling. On the whole this mellow album is less upbeat than previous releases but arguably boasts Ben's most mature songwriting (and also showcases drummer Darren Jesse's potential on his song Magic) so far.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Where the past two (proper) albums have been exhilarating rides of virtuosity and songwriting talent, Messner is a snapshot of an artist come of age. Glimpses of this album have been seen in "Boxing", "Brick", and "Missing the War" and if you're looking for another "Whatever and..." then you'll find it in "Army" and "My Redneck Past", but expect a more mature, orchestral sonic landscape. Breathtaking and original. (But you'll want to keep hold of your other BF5 albums in order to remember what it's like to be immature again). Buy it, if only to let Elton John know which kid on the block can REALLY play piano. I'd rather have Reinhold Messner than a new kidney.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Pretty good, but not quite as likeable as other Folds albums
This was the second Ben Folds album I bought after accidentally seeing him perform live (dual-headlining with the Divine Comedy); the first being "Whatever and Ever Amen". Read more
Published on 25 April 2003 by N. K. Harris
A CLASSIC!!!!!
I've got all the bff cd's and this is the best!!!Its not the kind of thing I usually listen to like sepultura and slayer etc. Read more
Published on 14 Sep 2001
BFF on a Higher plane
After buying the first 2.5 albums (with Naked baby Photos not really being a proper 'album) I bought this. And its a cracker. Read more
Published on 2 Jun 2001
Alan Wilson would be proud...
I can't believe it. It is even better than the last and yet so not. Army is catchy and nice but none of the rest of it is. NOT. Spend your money on this CD, not the poor.
Published on 21 Mar 2001
Not the Ben Folds Five we know & love, but fabulous anyway..
As a fan of BFF, I bought this cd expecting to hear tracks in the same genre as both BFF and Whatever... I was sadly mistaken and in the beginning I hated it. Read more
Published on 20 Jan 2001
And they're American!
Very very impressed indeed. I'd never heard of Ben Folds Five until a stay with some friends, and it came as a great relief that for the first time since I first heard a Bob Dylan... Read more
Published on 13 Nov 2000
Not one for ben folds beginners
No, it's not genius. No, its not "The best album ever". Yeesh, where do these people get there ideas? Read more
Published on 4 Jun 2000 by mrlamppost@hotmail.com
Top Stuff.
I was lucky enough to land myself with a pair of tickets to see Ben Folds Five in December. I'd never heard of them before but my friend was trying to get rid of these tickets cos... Read more
Published on 6 Feb 2000 by internetcatastrophe@yahoo.co.uk
Really disapointing.
I am a great fan of Third Eye Blind and the Goo Goo Dolls and somebody told me I should listen to an album by Ben Folds Five. I splashed out... Read more
Published on 26 Jan 2000
The best album yet from the uniquely talented Ben Folds.
In today's throw away pop culture, it is refreshing to hear an album that pushes back the boundaries. Read more
Published on 14 Dec 1999
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