The namesake and frontman of The Ben Folds Five turned out to be capable of creating beautiful pop music even without his band members. After the release of his first solo album Rockin 'The Suburbs ('01), Folds toured the American halls on his own, which was recorded on CD Ben Folds Live ('02). Apparently he still missed the dynamics and the company of a band. For Songs For Silverman, his first
… album of new material in four years, he formed a new three-man band with bassist Jared Reynolds and drummer Lindsay Jamieson. The arrangements are kept quite austere - just piano, bass and drums - although the refined polyphonic choirs and some orchestral overdubs do not give the music the unpolished 'live' character of its old band. Ben Folds also seems to have definitely renounced the somewhat student-like jokes. Songs For Silverman contains serious, sometimes downright sentimental lyrics about trust (Trusted), American society (Jesusland) and his daughter Gracie. Even from 'Weird' Al Jankovic, who sings along in Time's backing vocals, there is not a bad word. That serious tone takes some getting used to, but Folds' super melodic songs are still heavily addictive. (MS) super melodic songs are still very addictive. (MS) super melodic songs are still very addictive. (MS)more
