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Way To Normal | 
| Artists: Ben Folds, Regina Spektor
Label: Epic Records
Category: Music
List Price: £16.99
Buy New: £6.98
You Save: £10.01 (59%)
New (52) Used (4) from £6.00
Rating:  12 reviews
Sales Rank: 562
Format: Explicit Lyrics
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 4.9 x 0.4
MPN: 709849
UPC: 886970984928
EAN: 0886970984928
ASIN: B001E1DJ9S
Release Date: September 29, 2008
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
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| Tracks:
| • | Hiroshima (B B B Benny Hit His Head) | | • | Dr Yang | | • | Frown Song | | • | You Don't Know Me - Folds, Ben & Regina Spector | | • | Before Cologne | | • | Cologne | | • | Errant Dog | | • | Free Coffee | | • | Bitch Went Nuts | | • | Brainwascht | | • | Effington | | • | Kylie From Connecticut |
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| Customer Reviews: Read 7 more reviews...
 Bitter Ben isn't at his best November 25, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Before I start this review, I just want to say that I have been a huge fan of Ben's music since the release of the debut Ben Folds Five album back in 1995 and consider 2001's 'Rockin' The Suburbs' album to be one of my all time favourites, so I write from the perspective of a long-time admirer of the man and his work. However, with the exception of the 'Fear Of Pop' project, I think that - sadly - in 'Way To Normal' Ben has probably made his worst studio album to date.
The album starts off brightly. 'Hiroshima', a musical pastiche of Elton John's 'Bennie & The Jets', is a nice piece of inoffensive pop and 'Dr. Yang' is full of energy and pounding piano keys, although, production-wise, it could have been slightly less crashy and noisy. 'The Frown Song' is a decent enough track as well, but none of the opening three could be described as classics. The bouncy, melodic 'You Don't Know Me' (featuring Regina Spektor) is easily one of the album's highlights and one of the most obviously divorce-influenced tracks. 'Before Cologne' and 'Cologne' are very pretty pieces of music, although some of the lyrics in the latter really don't work - the news story part grates badly.
'Errant Dog' is an enjoyable track and reminds me very much of early Ben Folds Five - there's nothing particularly deep about it, but it still manages to be one of my favourite cuts here. 'Free Coffee' would be a good track if it wasn't for the really horrible metallic sound of the piano (achieved by putting empty Altoid tins on the piano strings), but still makes a good lyrical point. I think the next track will be either something you love or hate and does nothing to assist relations between men and women. Called 'B*tch Went Nuts', it is one of the most enjoyable tracks on the album as far as the music goes, but the lyrics are borderline offensive and could even be viewed as misogynistic. Of course, some will say that I should have a sense of humour about it and I have tried. I really have. Unfortunately, I don't think that Ben is joking. For humour to work, a lot is about the delivery, context and intent and, considering Ben's recent divorce, this song is difficult to love or find side-splittingly funny.
The rest of the album 'Brainwascht', 'Effington' and 'Kylie From Connecticut' are all fairly unremarkable and are about as good as each other. In fact, 'Effington' is a good example of Ben's humour on this album - it is a joke that quickly wears thin. I believe that a younger artist could probably have got away with some of the material on this album, but to hear such lame humour and juvenile cussing from a man Ben's age... well, it just doesn't sound that funny or entertaining. He is a man of huge musical talent, but so much of this album simply backfires and I think, quite honestly, that he simply needs to grow up a bit. He sounds best when he is exploring his more sensitive, positive side and very little of that is demonstrated on 'Way To Normal'.
Still, there is enough on this album for the Folds fan to be entertained, but this, for me, is most certainly his weakest studio album to date. I still love the guy, will keep the faith and continue to buy the music, but I'm definitely hoping for an improvement next time round.
Harking back to the good old days! October 25, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
I have been a big fan of Ben Folds since hearing uncle walter back in 1995, so i feel well placed to comment on this latest effort. I have never been compelled to review on amazon before but having read the other reviews here i feel someone needs to bring some sense to the argument!
Firstly, those who feel this album is crass have clearly only been into ben folds since the release of songs for silverman. Had they listened to any of his other albums, they would realise that his witty, un-pc style is exactly what makes ben who he is...one of the best songwriters of our generation. I'm also guessing these people werent exactly into b****s aint s**t either! If they dont like it - nobody is forcing them to listen.
So, on to my review! Put simply, ben folds writes two kinds of songs, touching, emotional balads and sarcastic, ironic witty stompers. His previous couple of albums fell mostly into the first category - as if Ben's humour was sedated by the bliss of marriage and parenthood; a dribbling, blubbering mess (maybe uncle walter?!)
Way to Normal returns to classic ben folds five. In my opinion this is when ben is at his best - just don't get on the wrong side of this man whatever you do!
This is exactly the kind of music that got me into ben folds five in the first place and i would like to be the first to welcome back ben - its been far too long.
 Folds back to his constant best. October 5, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This album has everything I love about Folds' music - it's witty, sarcastic and acerbic, but when you least expect it - after tracks matching that description such as Hiroshima, Free Coffee, Dr Yang - out of nowhere comes Cologne, which is a little more 'Songs for Silverman' and delivers like an emotional blow to the chest.
I love Ben Folds, and 'Way to Normal' shows why you should, too.
Ben Fold's strongest solo album, best album of 2008? October 4, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I was apprehensive at first, the production seemed flat and bland, and only a couple of tracks hit the spot. But like all great albums this is a grower, and one that I can now listen to from beginning to end with a smile on my face. It has funny, bitter, ironic lyrics and musically harks back to the old BF5 on some tracks, with more up-tempo energy than his previous release Songs for Silverman. It also contains some of his strongest work, in particular Cologne and Bitch Went Nuts are immediate standouts. So if you're an old fan or new to Ben Fold's this album is a must-own!
The Divorce Album October 3, 2008
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
This album is the sound of Folds both marking time and getting a few things off his chest. Yes, there are a few good songs on it (Folds is a very talented musician), but it also has filler and moments that leave a nasty taste in the mouth. It's clear what inspired more than a few of the songs, and divorce albums rarely make comfortable listening. It's an unhappy irony to see an album dedicated to his children, then hearing their mother being called a bitch in the lyrics.
"Hiroshima" is good, as is "You Don't Me", but without really breaking any new ground. "Errant Dog" is the worse of the sub-par filler, and appears to be making a point that has so far eluded me. Or am I reading too much into it?
Over all, a fair album. But seasoned fans will find it a disappointment.
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