The Sound Of The Life Of The Mind

Ben Folds Five | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: September 14, 2012
• Label: ImaVeePee Records/Sony Music
• Copyright: (P) 2012 Ben Folds / Distributed by Sony Music Entertainment
• Record Company Required Metadata: Music file metadata contains unique purchase identifier. Learn more.
• Total Length: 44:23
• Genres:
  • Rock
• ASIN: B008OPG912
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (77 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,396 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars They're back. September 18, 2012

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!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Record. The Band Hasn't Slipped September 18, 2012

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!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A nice surprise. November 28, 2012

By Hurricanespence

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.