Ben Folds is the most creative, innately talented musicians of my era. There. I said it. Don't know him? He's awesome. I've been listening to his new album "Way to Normal" almost non stop since it dropped last week. I cannot get enough of this album. There are no "skip" songs on it. No filler. No crap. Just all hot, rockin' music. And here: You can listen while you continue to read... just click on the radio below! (note for any easily offended readers: there's off-color language in some of his songs. You've been warned). It would be tough for me to pick a favorite song... "Effington" for the message? "Hiroshima" for the playfulness and storytelling? "Dr. Yang" for the jolting rock? "Bitch went Nuts" for its hilarity? "Cologne" for being soft and beautiful and for having the line "why the floor has suddenly become a moving target" and for mentioning the astronaut who drove to Florida in a diaper to kill someone. I mean, come on, how awesome is it to have THAT be in the song? "Free Coffee" for its edgy sound and honest commentary on celebrity worship? It just goes on and on. I wish I could verbalize why Ben Folds' music fits my life/outlook/personality so well. But it does. Nerdy piano rock just really speaks to my soul. I like his playful lyrics and music. I like having songs that can pinpoint a mood and either put you in it or drag you out of it. And let me tell you, this guy can seriously rock. I've been to two concerts (even sat on the 2nd row of one!) and he's about 100000 times better live. He gets the crowd into it -- and it's just him and a piano a lot of the time. Who else can rock out like that on a piano?? Anyway, I'm a fan. And you should all give Ben Folds a listen -- then buy the album!
