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Track Listings
| 1. Erase Me |
| 2. Michael Praytor, Five Years Later |
| 3. Sky High |
| 4. The Sound Of The Life Of The Mind |
| 5. On Being Frank |
| 6. Draw A Crowd |
| 7. Do It Anyway |
| 8. Hold That Thought |
| 9. Away When You Were Here |
| 10. Thank You For Breaking My Heart |
Editorial Reviews
In 2011, the original three members of Ben Folds Five came together to record three new studio tracks for The Best Imitation Of Myself: A Retrospective, a career-spanning Ben Folds anthology. With the band's magic rekindled while making the new tracks, Ben Folds Five gave its first concert in more than a decade to a spellbound audience at New York s Mountain Jam Festival on June 2, 2012. Now, Ben Folds Five return with The Sound Of The Life
Of The Mind, the group's first album of new music in 13 years.
Of The Mind, the group's first album of new music in 13 years.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By Dave C
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
For a long time fan this much anticipated album makes it feel like they never left, so many good melodies, sweeping harmonies, and great stories, i love it.
There's no "Uncle Walters" here but that was almost 20 years ago anyway, they've always developed richer sounds on each subsequent album and to me, they've nailed this velvety retro fuzz while keeping the hooks popping and the piano stomping.
If you were also a fan previously i see no reason why this won't give you shivers down your spine, it just sounds like Ben Folds Five and that's all i've wanted and waited for these past 12 years.
Let's hope this isn't the last we hear from Robert, Ben and Darren and i'm so thankful they at least gave me one more record, my others have almost worn out. Get on it.
PS: Check it out on vinyl too!
There's no "Uncle Walters" here but that was almost 20 years ago anyway, they've always developed richer sounds on each subsequent album and to me, they've nailed this velvety retro fuzz while keeping the hooks popping and the piano stomping.
If you were also a fan previously i see no reason why this won't give you shivers down your spine, it just sounds like Ben Folds Five and that's all i've wanted and waited for these past 12 years.
Let's hope this isn't the last we hear from Robert, Ben and Darren and i'm so thankful they at least gave me one more record, my others have almost worn out. Get on it.
PS: Check it out on vinyl too!
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By D-Rich
Format:Audio CD
Ben Folds Five was a very popular rock/pop group from the 1990's that was together for an all-too-short-but-highly-prolific five years. Their first record was a high energy, jazzy, melodic sunny burst. Their second was in the same vein, but with a more mature and seasoned sound. Their final record was a mid-tempo, jazz influenced piece that held together better when played from start to finish as a collective body of work. Regardless of the differences of these three records, they were all equally brilliant and inspirational. There's a reason young people are still listening to these records; they've stood the test of time.
The band broke up in 2000, which sent Ben Folds into a solo career (one that ended up being as highly prolific as his days in the "Five") He went on to produce for several other artists, become a judge on NBC's "The Sing Off" for three seasons, release a live album, three solo albums, and one collaborative album with author Nick Hornby. Despite the fact that Ben Folds Five has been inactive for 13 years, it's clear that Mr. Folds has been anything but.
Which brings us to "The Sound of the Life of the Mind." The band's fouth record (Ben's eighth, factoring in his solo records) fits right in with the previous three (and subsequently, where his last solo outing left off). Ben Folds has always been the main songwriter, arranger, lyricist, and producer of the "Five"'s records, so it's no surprise that the songwriting on this album feels like a natural evolution from his last solo record. What bassist Robert Sledge and drummer Darren Jesse really bring to the table is a rough, powerful energy that brings a certain light to Folds' songwriting that otherwise isn't there (not to say his solo albums didn't have some powerful moments.)
The songs on this album are deep. No other way to put it. You can tell there was plenty of thought put into each one of these songs, from the lyrics to the instrumentation. You aren't going to find any jittery adrenaline-fueled tunes like "Julianne" on this album, which isn't necessarily a good thing. There's a certain charm to the less developed ideas that songwriters are willing to put on their records in their early years, and that is pretty much lacking on "The Sound of the Life of the Mind." Only during "Do it Anyway" do we hear the band truly let loose and go elbows-to-keys on the piano. I actually commend the band for not trying to pretend to be in their 20's anymore. While I do think that one more high-tempo song would benefit the album, I respect their choice to not try to repeat their first record for the sake of nostalgia and records sales.
This is a solid album. Not their best, not better than all of Ben's solo output, but a solid release nonetheless. There's a lot to sink your teeth into here, which is more than you can say about most modern music. Enjoy this release. Trust me, it won't be difficult!
The band broke up in 2000, which sent Ben Folds into a solo career (one that ended up being as highly prolific as his days in the "Five") He went on to produce for several other artists, become a judge on NBC's "The Sing Off" for three seasons, release a live album, three solo albums, and one collaborative album with author Nick Hornby. Despite the fact that Ben Folds Five has been inactive for 13 years, it's clear that Mr. Folds has been anything but.
Which brings us to "The Sound of the Life of the Mind." The band's fouth record (Ben's eighth, factoring in his solo records) fits right in with the previous three (and subsequently, where his last solo outing left off). Ben Folds has always been the main songwriter, arranger, lyricist, and producer of the "Five"'s records, so it's no surprise that the songwriting on this album feels like a natural evolution from his last solo record. What bassist Robert Sledge and drummer Darren Jesse really bring to the table is a rough, powerful energy that brings a certain light to Folds' songwriting that otherwise isn't there (not to say his solo albums didn't have some powerful moments.)
The songs on this album are deep. No other way to put it. You can tell there was plenty of thought put into each one of these songs, from the lyrics to the instrumentation. You aren't going to find any jittery adrenaline-fueled tunes like "Julianne" on this album, which isn't necessarily a good thing. There's a certain charm to the less developed ideas that songwriters are willing to put on their records in their early years, and that is pretty much lacking on "The Sound of the Life of the Mind." Only during "Do it Anyway" do we hear the band truly let loose and go elbows-to-keys on the piano. I actually commend the band for not trying to pretend to be in their 20's anymore. While I do think that one more high-tempo song would benefit the album, I respect their choice to not try to repeat their first record for the sake of nostalgia and records sales.
This is a solid album. Not their best, not better than all of Ben's solo output, but a solid release nonetheless. There's a lot to sink your teeth into here, which is more than you can say about most modern music. Enjoy this release. Trust me, it won't be difficult!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I admit, I had some trepidation about a new Ben Folds Five album. I've been a big fan of BFF and of Ben Folds' solo stuff for quite a while. The Sound of the Life of the Mind surprised me in a very nice way.
First and foremost, it feels like a Ben Folds Five album without feeling like a rip-off of a previous album. The songs are new and interesting, with an old-school BFF feel that isn't stale or re-hashed. Some are stronger than others, but there's a familiar ebb and flow to the album that I think BFF fans will really enjoy.
All in all, if you're a fan of BFF or of Ben Folds' solo stuff, I don't think you'll be dissapointed here. In a way it's just what you'd expect, which is quite surprsing given how long it's been.
First and foremost, it feels like a Ben Folds Five album without feeling like a rip-off of a previous album. The songs are new and interesting, with an old-school BFF feel that isn't stale or re-hashed. Some are stronger than others, but there's a familiar ebb and flow to the album that I think BFF fans will really enjoy.
All in all, if you're a fan of BFF or of Ben Folds' solo stuff, I don't think you'll be dissapointed here. In a way it's just what you'd expect, which is quite surprsing given how long it's been.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Return to greatness
I was skeptical about this CD at first but after listening to it all the way through I can say that I am truly glad that Ben Folds Five got back together
Published 9 days ago by John Mooney
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Album
Good work. They are sticking with what works well for them. I enjoyed listening to this album several times in the first few days.
Published 13 days ago by David Estey
4.0 out of 5 stars
Classic BFF
Wonderful melodies from this talented trio. If you like their previous work you'll find more of it here. Awesome music.
Published 14 days ago by Ernesto Rene Ortez
5.0 out of 5 stars
great album
This band is one of my favorite bands and their new album is good. It isn't their best album but it's close.
Published 1 month ago by Samuel D Griga
5.0 out of 5 stars
Purchased for hubby...
who is a Ben Folds Five BIG Fan! He was very pleased and plays this over and over. I nailed it! Or rather, Ben Folds Five nails it on this album.
Published 1 month ago by Theresa Fitzgerald
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great!
Gotta love some new Ben Folds Five! 'Do It Anyway', 'Erase Me' and 'Sky High' stand out at first listen for me. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mike
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
This is just a treat, after missing Ben Folds Five so long. It's been a long time since I've loved an album so much.
Published 1 month ago by Russell Morgan Dibb
4.0 out of 5 stars
Some old, some new
It's got a good blend of old BFF styles with some of the newer sounds Folds himself has developed in the interim since Messner. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Fancy or Casual???
2.0 out of 5 stars
Dull
Pretty much more of the same. No real innovation that I noticed. Get back to work, Ben, and quit phoning it in. Maybe I expect too much?
Published 1 month ago by Desertboy2
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ben Folds Five
The Ben Folds Five are as good as they have ever been. I think that fans will enjoy this album.
Published 1 month ago by Zactionman
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