BEN FOLDS FIVE
THE UNAUTHORIZED BIOGRAPHY OF REINHOLD MESSNER
by Matt

CD Released: 27th April 1999

Track listing:
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
12. (Theme from) Dr. Pyser

Ok, first up, the title...clever, weird and amusing, all rolled into one! I really like it. I mean, who but BFF would title their album after a name that they used on fake IDs when they were teenagers!?! A stroke of pure genius I think.

Anyway, this album is great. Their sound is like no other. Unmistakable. They say that their influences for this album range from 70's rock, to soul music, to indie rock, to Nirvana, to Burt Bacharach, to Elton John even. This really comes through I think, in the sense that each of the tracks is really unique and (as corny as it sounds), has its own feel to it.

'Narcolepsy' - the title track on this album (Narcolepsy being a disorder that makes you constantly fall asleep for no reason at all.), is incredible. With the accompaniment of the Cello, fluegelhorn, and violins, it is really beautiful, and is definitely one of my favourite tracks.

'Don't Change Your Plans' (track 2) has a beautiful unresolved instrumental ending, which compliments the lyric content wonderfully.

'Mess' is another great track. As Ben Folds so accurately states "It's a cowboy song". Its got a really great beat to it, and the Cello and Violins make it..well actually.they just make it.

Of course I must mention the ever so popular 'Army'. To me, this is the  "One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces" of this album. A great track none-the-less.

I must also mention 'Magic', track 4 on the album. It was written by Darren Jesse - the band's drummer - and is sensational! The lyrics are amazing (congrats Darren!), and the music is astonishing. Together they make for an unbelievable song, which I think could just be the "Brick" of this album. ("Brick" being the sleepy hit which rose to the charts on BFF's last album - Whatever and Ever Amen.)

With this album, I think Ben Folds Five have undoubtably hit their artistic peak. They have really (dare I say it).grown up. The whole Ben Folds Five sound has evolved so much since the first album. And although their debut album was great, I think this is a good thing.

Overall, the best word to describe Ben Folds Five's new album would be "a masterpiece".that's 2 words.oh well. Its really great, they have done a sensational job.

PURCHASE THIS CD @ CHAOSMUSIC - $25.09.