Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ben Folds is the Billy Joel of our generation, September 1, 2004
Whatever and Ever Amen proves that the spectacular pop song craft of 1995's self titled "Ben Folds Five" album was no fluke. The songs on here can become very addictive. He pulls off these infectious tunes just as well as Elton John, Billy Joel or Joe Jackson; he is definitely a gifted piano man.
I did not discover this album when I was in high school like a lot of people I knew, but it takes me back there every time I listen to it. It is a great record, symbolizing the time when it came out in 1997. Ben Folds has opened me up to the world of piano music. He is the reason I love Elton John and Billy Joel so much today.
This album is just filled with stand-out tracks. I'm sure everyone has heard the very memorable song "Brick", about the struggles with abortion. "One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces" kicks off the CD nicely with it's fast paced rhythm. The second track "Fair" is my personal favorite. "Song For The Dumped" is a song that everyone can relate to. "Smoke" is also one of my favorites; I'm not sure what the instrument he is playing is called, but it's chillingly sweet. Then you have "Steven's Last Night In Town", and fantastic swing number brightened up with some horns. They mix it up so much, and still keep the guitars out of the picture.
This album is very diverse and has plenty of material to be loved by all. I would recommend it to anybody who likes any kind of music; is that vague enough?
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Underrated Album of the Decade, October 10, 2001
The second release from the now defucnt Ben Folds Five is one of the best Rock albums not on your shelf. I bought this album along with three others one fateful night. I gave it one listen and paid more attention that night to the musical (if you can call it that) stylings of Semisonic. A few weeks later I popped this misnamed trio back into my CD player and fell in love. The opening track "One Angry Dwarf and Two Hundred Solemn Faces" was shocking to listen to because I had only known their one radio hit- the soft-core introspective "Brick"
The CD is great. So many reviewers note that there is a song for every emotional pitch. This is true- the tracks oscilate between frenetic energy (One Angry Dwarf, Fair) to melancholic solace seeking (Missing the War, Evaporated). Ben Folds Five is hard to characterize as a group because of their range and development as a group between their promising self-titled debut "Ben Folds Five" to their critically acclaimed "Rheinhold Messner."
This CD takes a few listens to understand- as it did with me. But this album alone coerced me to attend the best concert of my life- Ben Folds Five on Summer Stage at Central Park- accompanied by strings and horns- I managed to sneak my friends and myself back-stage to meet the band- way cool.
With the release of Ben Folds first Solo Effort since the breakup of this band we can see what Robert Sledge and Darren Jesse contributed to the group. Ben Folds Five was more comic and energetic- especially on stage- whereas Ben Folds himself (the creative force behind the band) continues in the direction the band moved in their last effort, Messner.
Having bought this album when I was 16 and now being on the cusp of 20 I must say that it changed my life forever. The infectious tunes are still popular at parties and I find myself returning to this album often to find solace. The songs express silly rage, regretful introspection,joyful adoration, and confusion. Ben Folds' lyrical genius is in his ability to tell short poingant stories- a lost art in modern rock.
Needless to say, this band -a one hit wonder by most people's standards- has far outlasted my naive interest in the pathetic but momentarily popular Semisonic. This LP should interest all struggling piano students, open-minded punk-rockers, nerd-rockers (Weezer fans) and pop fans who enjoy great songwriting. Get ready to jump up and down in raucus excited smiles and to perhaps shed a tear (if you are a wimp like me) with this incredible and powerful mix of an album.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A classic, April 22, 2005
One of the most endearing and frusterating things about Ben Folds (Five) is his (their) refusal to take things seriously. Ultimately, it resulted in a couple dreadful self-parodies (the title track of the otherwise excellent "Rockin' the Suburbs"), but on "Whatever and Ever Amen", there's a strong balance.
Thus, you have lighthearted pop ("Kate") mixed with heartbreaking ballads ("Brick"). Folds is a very talented piano player, and it's backed (on the rockier numbers) with Robert Sledge's amplified bass and Darren Jesse's solid drumming to give them a unique sound. It's like a giant blender full of Joe Jackson, Todd Rundgren, The Pixies, Beck, Weezer, XTC, Burt Bacharach, more.
On songs like "One Angry Dwarf.." and "Song For the Dumped", Folds' lyrics are spiked with bitterness and anger, yet he never feels *truly* pissed off when he sings lines such as "Give me my money back you bitch" (the chorus of the latter). Perhaps any anger is overshadowed by the delicious pop hooks.
Other highlights include the lush jazz of "Selfless, Cold and Composed", the New Orleans jazz-tinged playfulness of "Steven's Last Night in Town", the theatrical ballad "Missing the War", the insanely catchy pop of "Battle of Who Could Care Less", and the sophisticated-yet-silly "Fair".
In terms of writing catchy, engaging hooks, Folds is a master here. That's what makes "Whatever & Ever Amen" so memorable. Whether it's a humorous pop song or a melancholy ballad, everything is so hooky and infectious.
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Ben Folds shares his favorite music with Amazon customers. See all artists' picks on our Music You Should Hear page.
by Ben Folds Five 
