Customer Reviews

Naked Baby Photos

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

While Naked Baby Photos may not technically be a new Ben Folds Five album, it's definitely the next best thing. This album gives us unreleased versions of songs form other albums, B-sides, a radio performance and several live performances. Sound like it might not be worth your money? Think again. No Ben Folds Five fan should be without this album. The highlights of this album include an outstanding live performance of Underground (much better than the one on their first album), the B-Sides Emaline, Eddie Walker, and Tom and Mary, the live song Satan is My Master (actually created on stage as they recorded it), and a little jewel called For Those of Ya'll That Wear Fanny Packs. "Fanny Packs" was a recording of a song the band did while just messing around in the studio. Thank God they left the tape machine on---this song is absolutely hillarious. It's sort of rap song with a piano in it---or more likely a rap parody---you decide. Other songs worth mentioning are their first recording---a version of Jackson Cannery, a good radio performance of Alice Childress, a short instrumental called Dick Holster, Bad Idea, The Ultimate Sacrifice (BFF does heavy metal!!!....well, sort of...), a live version of philosphy, and another live song called Twin Falls. The one problem with this album is that a few of live songs tend to be hard to understand. The live version of Julianne is nearly unintelligable if you don't have a good stereo (and even then it's still pretty rough), and the version of Song for The Dumped can be hard to make out too, which is a pity, since this one was a weird but cool version. Also, the live version of Boxing isn't really worth mentioning, it's OK, but nothing compared to the one on their first album. Despite these flaws, this the genius of Ben Folds Five shines through on most of the abulm, making it well worth the money. People who are new to BFF however (particularly those who don't know anything except Underground and Brick), should probably buy Whatever and Ever Amen and/or their self-titled album first, as they might very well not appreciate this album going into it cold. For those who are already well familiar with the group, dive in. You won't be dissapointed.

This very Naked music from Ben Folds Five is mainly recorded from clubs, or small studio efforts. The sound quality on many of the tracks leaves much to be desired, but they are certainly some of the best musical events Ben Folds Five has ever created. This CD is a must have, and will be loved by all Die Hard Ben Fold Five fans. "For Those Ya All That Wear Fanny Packs" is hillarious, and there is not subsitute for this version of "Underground" due to some interplay with the crowd. I would say to those still discovering Ben Folds Five, make sure you really like them, you probably want to collect their albums first, but don't get me wrong... This CD rocks.

Wow, Amazon didn't really like a CD for once..

Anyway, I bought this CD a few years ago, and popped it in now and then to hear the songs I knew ("songs" comprise about half of it). After seeing Ben Folds live recently and watching the DVD, I appreciated the CD much more, and had a better picture of the group during recording. Yes, you'll be tempted to skip "For Those of Y'all Who Wear Fanny Packs", but it actually goes on for quite awhile and accurately displays the bands sense of humor (their best quality).

This is (was) one truly talented band that was so easily dismissed by those who didn't enjoy "Brick".

This album is filled with live tracks, demos, and bloopers of the Ben Folds Five band. It gives a look at the band on a deeper level instead of simply a musical level. It is almost like "Inside the Music" on VH1, except in CD form. It has a lot of repeat tracks from previous albums. The only new release is Eddie Walker. A good CD for collectors and Ben Folds Five fans or anyone looking for a better look at the band.

If you just want to pick up "a CD from that band that does Brick" get a different one- Whatever & Ever Amen or Reinhold Messner maybe. If you have those & love these guys-- GET THIS CD! . If you love their live show-- GET THIS CD! It hints at the spontaneity, talent & energy BF5 lovers have come to know and love. They are amazingly talented and this is a must have for anyone looking for a band that has the guts to play real music.

Let's talk disappointment real fast. The Ultimate Sacrifice sucked, and Ben Folds Five proves on that track that they need to stick to guitarless music. Actually, that's the only thing I could have really done without on this CD. Emaline is incredible. Underground is better live, thanks to a little audience participation. Boxing, for the second time on two CDs, is better than Bette Midler's attempt. The combination of live tracks and studio is a great mix, and the songs like Dick Holster and For Those of Y'all Who Wear Fanny Packs show it's not a bad idea to leave the tapes rolling while the band is screwing around. And speaking of bad ideas, Bad Idea is another cool, yet strangely odd, track. Do you like Ben Folds already? Buy this CD. Have you not listened to them yet? I'd recommend their first CD, Ben Folds Five. It's their best work so far, if you ask me.

I am a really big fan of Ben Folds Five. I have the website and all of that, but anyway........You must understand that Ben Folds Five's style of music is so unique it probably won't be appreciated by all. The bottom line is that either you love it or you'll hate it. There is rarely an inbetween. But fortunatly, BF5 has the right kind of style for me. I would reccommend buying "Whatever and Ever Amen" first though. That album is a little more "radio friendly" but still has their unique sense of musical creativity. But this album is a very good one. Naked Baby Photos is just a collection of unreleased demos, B sides, and rare live performances. I would have given it 5 stars, but it is one of those albums that is probably best appreciated by fans. You should give it a chance. This is a really good group.

Naked Baby Photos is the finest of all the Ben Folds Five albums. The rest of the albums are brilliant, but Naked Baby Photos has a little more spark and personality. This is Ben Folds Five before they `matured', but still, the band's catchy lyrics, their obvious musical virtuosity and Ben Folds' natural falsetto voice - it's still there and more outrageous than ever. From the groove of the opening track, Eddie Walker, to the mellow waltz of Boxing, Naked Baby Photos is an all round triumph.

Ben Folds plays the piano like a man possessed. One can never tell if what he is playing has been composed previously or improvised on the spot. Either way, whatever he plays is in key and spot on. He has a tremendous sense of rhythm and it seems as though his fingers know where to go before he does. That's probably the ingredient that makes Ben Folds Five such a unique and entertaining band. Their music sounds spontaneous and natural, and the fun the band has in making it carries through to the listener. Their music is lightweight but nevertheless, quite complex.

These are the hidden treasures of Ben Folds Five. The trio are masters of their field - they have the bizarre, enviable ability to improvise in time and in key, and make it sound good. Their rhythm, lyrics, musical ability, their joviality, the fun they have making music - all of it carries through to the listener, and what makes Naked Baby Photos the best of their albums is that it's got all of what I mentioned before in spades. This is an album that is not only a musical triumph, but it's also a hell of a lot of fun to listen to.

I have noticed many people here believe that if you are not already a big Ben Folds fan, then you will not enjoy this album. These people are fans, and probably were introduced to the studio albums first. Well, this was my first Ben Folds Five album. I recieved it when it was new and I was 10 years old. I loved it then and still do today. So, when I say that anyone, including children will enjoy this album, I truly mean it.

Well, either people love this album, or they hate it. I sort of lean to loving it, I guess. Tracks range from very good ("Eddie Walker"), to just downright odd ("For those of y'all who wear fanny packs"). It's not so bad, but I have the impression that if I had purchased this album earlier in my Ben Folds Five fandomship, I probably wouldn't have enjoyed it as much, dig?