Ben Folds - Supersunnyspeedgraphic: the LP

NOTE TO READER: This post contains FOUL LANGUAGE. If you are easily offended, go read Dr. Seuss instead today.

To say Ben Folds' latest release is "new" is not really true. It's not a greatest hits album, but it's still a compilation. All the songs on it have been previously released. How long ago? Well, I saw Ben Folds in concert in fall of 2003, and he performed at least "All U Can Eat." The EP it was on came out soon afterwards. Before Songs for Silverman, Ben released three EPs: Speed Graphic, Sunny 16, and Super D. Supersunnyspeedgraphic: the LP contains selected songs from these EPs, as well as a few others. Supposedly Ben reproduced these songs to make the album more than just a compilation, but I don't hear the differences myself.

It's a good selection of songs. If you don't have all the previous EPs, it's worth the purchase. For the casual fan, it's probably better than getting the EPs. Of the songs selected, the only one I could think of left off I would have liked to have had was "Give Judy My Notice."

The CD has a few cover songs on it, the first is the Cure's "In Between Days." I must admit I do like the Cure. Folds does a great job covering the tune, with his fervent piano playing, and although his voice is different from Robert Smith's, it still catches the same spirit.

The second cover song is Dr. Dre's "Bitches Ain't Shit." I have never really listened to much Dre, at least not the stuff that wouldn't get played on the radio. And this song definitely wouldn't get airplay. It's funny though to hear Ben singing such obscene lyrics with a soft piano accompaniment. I laugh each time I hear this foul song.

Like I said, Ben played "All U Can Eat" when I saw him live. Normally when I see a band live (and I'm sure this is true for most people) I want to hear the old stuff. When they say "this is a new song" I get antsy because I'd rather become familiar with a song first before I hear it live. However, I loved this song the first time I heard it. Why? The lyrics really speak to me. Ben sings about fat, spoiled Americans, and how ignorant we are about the problems of the world.

They give no fuck
They buy as much as they would want
They give no fuck
Just as long as there's enough
For them

I like the full orchestra on "Songs of Love" and "Learn to Live With What You Are." It really gives both songs a nice touch, and shows Folds' talents. "Rent A Cop" and "Get Your Hands Off My Woman" both make me chuckle, and show Ben's light side. The second song is actually another cover, this time originally by The Darkness, whom I detest.

Another one of my favorites on the album is "There's Always Someone Cooler Than You." This reminds me more of the songs Ben used to do when he was in the Ben Folds Five. I know there's really not much difference between the Five and Ben's solo stuff, but still this song harkens back to Ben's younger days.

Overall, the compilation of all these years of Ben's work really make a complete solid album. I'm not sure I'd say it's his best since going solo, that's probably still Rocking the Suburbs. But I do like it more than Songs for Silverman.

For further reading:
Ben Folds' homepage
All Music Guide's Ben Folds entry
Wikipedia's Ben Folds entry

"Weird Al" Yankovic - Straight Outta Lynwood

To give you a good idea what sort of person I am, I'm kicking off this blog with, of all people, "Weird Al" Yankovic. I've been a fan of "Weird Al" since the early 80's, when I first heard "Eat It." Here it is, over 20 years later, and I'm still listening. I can't remember the last "Weird Al" album I didn't run out and get a copy soon after release. Some may think the 46-year-old Al has lost his touch, but I disagree. Sure Poodle Hat had its weak spots, but "Why Does This Always Happen to Me," Al's duet with Ben Folds, was as good as any original Al song from the '80s or '90s.

"Weird Al" kicks off Straight Outta Lynwood appropriately with a parody of Chamillionaire's "Ridin." This is a genre I'm not too familiar with, but from what I've heard of the original song, musically Al nails it as usual. The lyrics follow Al's long running theme of making fun of his own geekiness. However, it's the next track, "Pancreas," that wins me over to the album. In my opinion Al is at his best when writing his original songs, even though they're usually in the style of a certain group or genre instead of a song itself. "Pancreas" shows Al's musical talents as he takes on Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys. The song really reflects on the songs that appeared on Smile, Brian Wilson's long awaited masterpiece.

"Canadian Idiot" falls flat to me. I didn't really like the song he parodies by Green Day, and the jokes don't really stand out. "I'll Sue Ya" has some funny lines, and does a good job of capturing Rage Against the Machine's sound, even though the band has been broken up for some time.

No "Weird Al" album would be complete without his take on today's current hits in a polka medley. This track made me feel old because I only recognized about two-thirds of the songs he used. But considering the quality of the original songs, I don't think I'm missing much. The next few songs on the album don't really grab me. I guess I don't really get where Al is going with any of them. "Close But No Cigar" kind of reminds me of Cake, but not quite.

My favorite song on the album is "Trapped in the Drive-Thru," a parody of R. Kelly's epic "Trapped in the Closet." I am not a R. Kelly fan, but I strongly urge you to go out and hear "Trapped in the Closet" (all 12 parts) if you haven't already. The original version is much funnier than Al's, just because it goes on and on, introducing more absurd characters as the story meanders all over the place. Al does a great job of capturing R Kelly's dramatic cliffhangers and dialogue. Unlike R. Kelly's version, I can at least relate to Al and his wife's dilemma of what to eat for dinner.

Finally the album closes out with "Don't Download This Song," which is mildly funny, and reminds me of those '80s charity songs like "We Are The World." The real humor in the song lies in the fact is Al made this song available free to download before Straight Outta Lynwood was released.

Overall, like all "Weird Al" Yankovic albums, Straight Outta Lynwood has its highlights and forgettable filler. But to me, the funny songs make it worth it.

For further reading:
"Weird Al"'s homepage
All Music Guide's "Weird Al" entry
Wikipedia's "Weird Al" entry