THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #1490 - April 28, 1999
Magical Armchair Digest Wednesday, April 28 1999 Volume 01 : Number 1490
THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
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TOPICS IN THIS DIGEST:
uk video?
You have received a Greeting from Sunshine
My take on TUBORM
Liner Notes
Atlanta ARMY Airplay
did i miss something?
The new Fluid Ounces is GREAT (off topic)
Summer Tour?
new album
TUBORM
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 1999 19:23:17 +0000
From: "Tim Marsh" <winkie@easynet.co.uk>
Subject: uk video?
someone wrote:
> can anyone tell me if the video and/or truth and rumours cd will be on
> sale in the US? i'm worried that they will only be in the uk,
the video is available in the uk??!? dammit, i didn't know that,
i've only seen the cd by itself. has anyone seen the vid?
C.
___
"There are no rules here, only piles of mistakes
That we swear we'll learn from, then we just go ahead and make"
Dog's Eye View "What I Know Now"
winkie@easynet.co.uk
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 1999 20:28:00 +0200
From: Sunshine <sunshine_smith@hotmail.com>
Subject: You have received a Greeting from Sunshine
Hi,
Sunshine stopped by Dobhran's ICQ Greetings
and picked out this Greeting for you:
http://members.tripod.com/Dobhran/GRchain2.htm
Here is the message from Sunshine....
Hi! It's been awhile. Hope you are doing well.
I saw this and thought you would like it.
Sunshine :-)
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 1999 15:35:57 -0400
From: Mandel Ilagan <ilagan@fas.harvard.edu>
Subject: My take on TUBORM
I was fortunate enough to get an advance copy of "The Unauthorized
Biography of Reinhold Messner" a few weeks ago, so I've had some time let
this album soak in. I have to say that I was quite surprised when I first
listened to it. I kept thinking to myself, "Oh geez, this album is gonna
piss off a lot of old-school fans." Unfortunately, the pissed-off fans
will be missing out on Ben Folds Five's most cohesive and sophisticated
album to date. This is an album where they take many gambles and in my
opinion, they pay off beautifully resulting in a gorgeous set of great pop
music. Here's my take on each tracks:
Narcolepsy - AMAZING. A perfect opener that clearly shows the different
direction this album is taking. Whereas the first album and WAEA kicked
things off with foot-stompers, the guys take a risk with this schizophrenic
mini-opera. There's a great amount of tension in the song that just draws
me in. That the simplistic droning synth beat under Ben's "I'm not tired"
and the musical orgasm of strings, piano, bass, drums and vocals in the
"I'm drowning" section are equally powerful is quite an achievement. And
for those playing "Spot the Influence," I detect a little Beatles and
definitely some Queen in this track.
Don't Change Your Plans - This along with "Magic" proves to be one of the
most beautiful ballads the guys have ever done. It could have run the
danger of being a really hokey song with the Bacharach horn bridge and the
strings, but it doesn't thanks to a little fuzz bass by Rob and lyrics like
"I love you, goodbye." The piano is a bit more subtle here but very
effective with its running triplets throughout the chorus and horn part.
Mess - A more folksy song with a theme that brings to mind a more subdued
"Last Polka." The strings are a nice touch and add power to the song
without being too overbearing. The synth bass adds an eerieness to the
song especially in the final moments of the song where Ben sings "made the
same mistakes over and over again." Darren provides a great driving beat
that moves this song along quite well. Call me nuts, but the influence I'm
spotting here is "Ghost Riders in the Sky."
Magic - The "WOW" song of the album. If I had to pick a favorite from the
album, this would be it. There's a very majestic feel about this song and
a very timeless one too. It would be a travesty if this single didn't make
it big. Really moving stuff thanks to a strong melody and sweeping
instrumentation. The timpani beats before the "sha la la" section really
lend to the dark color of the song. I never knew Darren had it in him to
write such wonderful lyrics. I hope this leads to more songs by Darren in
future albums.
Hospital Song - Nice, effective segue into the middle mini-suite. You
really feel Reinhold drifting off into sleep or some sort of daydream
state. Now, for the obscure reference of the night...This song brought to
mind the instrumental part of "The Broadcast" off of Wings' "Back to the
Egg."
Army - Great upbeat song that chugs along and provides a nice change of
pace. This is the one song that hearkens back to the "old-school" days.
The horns give the song a big sound that fits well with the rest of the
album. Very tight, witty lyrics. Favorite lines: "I think I'll write a
screenplay...I think I'll get it done yesterday" Sounds a lot like my own
life!
Your Redneck Past - Awesome lyrics. I just love the "Who do you wanna be?
Billy Idol or Kool Moe Dee?" line. Again, the guys put a new twist on the
old pop formula by using pots for percussion and more of the synth for the
scratches and bass line. The placing of the song on album is perfect.
Reinhold has drifted into an even deeper sleep after dreaming about the
Army and the dream has started to get a bit more screwy. It just screams
for a video. The opening "oh's" and "la's" are probably the closest
they've gotten to that Jellyfish goofiness. Also, I detected a little
Brian Wilson in Ben's vocals especially in the verses.
Your Most Valuable Possession - On its own, it may not be that great, but
within the context of the album it works. It sets up Reinhold waking up
from the crazy dream he had during "Army" and "Your Redneck Past." Plus,
it ties up the middle suite well by bringing in the musical theme from the
end part of "Hospital Song."
Regrets - Ben, Robert, and Darren break out the cocktails for a night at
the lounge. Sort of Reinhold's confessional. Again, the placement of the
song is key. After mulling over the crap he's gone through and given
people, Reinhold's ready to face the consequences. Great work on the
pianos and percussion, but the big payoff is the Queen-like coda. The end
totally caught me off guard. Again, a prime example of how Ben Folds Five
take something which seems familiar, but then make it their own by screwing
around with it. I was like, "What the hell? Where did this come from?"
Jane - Listen to the first chords of this one and compare 'em to the
"aaahs" in the end of "Regrets." There's a link between 'em. I love Ben's
vocals on this one. This one has a very 70s jazzy, soul feel to it. The
synth runs in the bridge are a cool effect. Another example of power
through simplicity is the waterdrop synth effect over simple electric piano
solo.
Lullabye - Just as "Narcolepsy" was an appropriate opener, "Lullabye" is an
appropriate closer. It's also a great contrast to the bombastic opening of
"Narcolepsy." The waltzing strings remind me a lot of "Boxing" from the
first album. And like "Boxing," there's a rawness to the strings that
keeps it from being wishy-washy. Kudos also for the piano riffs during the
instrumental part. I really like the lyrics to this one. After all of the
draining emotion of the first half of the album, it's like the light at the
end of the tunnel. There's a sense of hope as Reinhold enters what seems
to be the next stage of his life.
All in all, this is one hell of album and I stress the word ALBUM. The
album flows so seamlessly. As I mentioned above, there are subtle hints at
previous musical themes in the later songs that tie all these songs
together. There may not be a clear linear
"biography" underlying the lyrics, but there is a definite mood. A lot of
the songs have a higher level of tension which really make the songs more
emotional and compelling than a lot of the band's previous work. There's a
disturbing and chilling feeling in the pauses and sparser parts of songs
like "Narcolepsy," "Don't Change Your Plans," and "Magic" that the guys
never achieved in more "in-your-face" songs like "The Last Polka" and "Song
for the Dumped." The best part of the album is that it's so layered and
subtle that you gain more with each listen. This is especially true of the
musical themes that recur throughout the album like the use of three-meter
and triplets in many of the songs.
Many will complain that it doesn't have the piano gymnastics or the
punk-leaning noise of the first two albums, but even so, there's no denying
there is some great playing here. The performances may be more subtle, but
they are top-notch. The bass on "Army," the percussion on "Regrets," and
the piano noodling on "Don't Change Your Plans" are a testament to this.
Hell, "Narcolepsy" should be proof enough that these guys still have the
playing chops!
Praise must be given to John Mark Painter and Caleb Southern. If you
really needed to find the other two "members" of Ben Folds Five to make it
really "five," I'd say that John and Caleb would be the candidates for the
positions. Without a doubt, their input into the arrangement and
production of "Reinhold" helped to make this the great album it is. This
is especially true of the added instrumentation. It doesn't really
interfere too much with the original piano/bass/drum lineup. One thing I
feared was that with so many "new" instruments, it would devolve into the
sterile sound of Billy Joel's later albums or the washed-out, muddy sound
of Elton John's later stuff. But the production and arrangement by Caleb
and John put to rest any of those fears. That is, despite all the new
gizmos and styles, when you get to down to the bottom of things, it's still
Ben Folds Five. While the sounds may be different, there's still a
definite feel to their music which I can't describe and which was not lost
at all with this new album.
To be honest, I myself was hoping for an album of stuff like the first
album, but I am very satisfied, probably moreso than if they had done "Ben
Folds Five II" or "WAEA II." This album solidifies the band as an
important one in the pop arena and Ben Folds as one of the best songwriters
in recent history with melodies that stand up to anything that Elton John,
Paul McCartney, or Billy Joel have ever written. It is with this album
that we're beginning to see the potential of this band as a lasting pop
powerhouse.
So do yourself a favor, listen to this album with an open mind. Don't
think about the first two albums at all and listen to "Reinhold" a few
times before you make a final call on it...You'll then discover a
well-crafted, yet too-brief musical journey with sharp melodies and lyrics
that'll leave you wanting to hear more at the end.
Mandel Ilagan
ilagan@fas.harvard.edu
http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~ilagan
------------------------------
Date: 27 Apr 1999 16:36 EDT
From: KLEVERING.KRISTIN@ANN-ARBOR.VA.GOV
Subject: Liner Notes
Got my copy of TUBORM at Best Buy at 10:25 this morning. Alas, no "Spare
Reels" were lying around. In fact, none of the stores I called knew about
them.
But what is up with the boys thanking Geddy Lee in the liner notes? This
has to be one of their jokes. Or maybe they do know Geddy Lee - maybe
he's Robert's role model or something. Just wondering.
I've only made it to track 4 as I'm at work, but what I've heard so far is
just lovely. Well worth the wait.
Later - Kristin
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 1999 13:45:51 -0700 (PDT)
From: Brian Wopershall <bwoper@yahoo.com>
Subject: Atlanta ARMY Airplay
Hey BFF-ers,
Just want you to know that 99x in Atlanta is playing the ba-jeebers out
of Army. I first heard it Saturday, I heard it twice Monday and three
times today at work.
Looks like the biys have got some support on this one....YES!
Brian
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------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 1999 17:03:22 EDT
From: MFH333@aol.com
Subject: did i miss something?
ok, so i haven't been keeping up with the armchair religiously lately. but
have i missed anything? did we ever decide on t shirts or anything? anyone
willing to bring me up to date would be great at this point. thanks a lot!
Adriane
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 1999 17:41:09 EDT
From: YourPalCM@aol.com
Subject: The new Fluid Ounces is GREAT (off topic)
Hello everyone,
I received the new Fluid Ounces CD about 5 days ago - it is absolutely
FANTASTIC. Go buy it NOW. www.spongebath.net for $10. C'mon, it's only ten
bucks - go buy this CD as soon as humanly possible!
Your Pal,
Chris Mal
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 1999 18:20:05 EDT
From: DrummerAR@aol.com
Subject: Summer Tour?
Is it just me, or should the summer US tour dates be up by now?
What's up with this? Do the dates exist?
On another note, ran to the record store after school, and picked up
TUBORM. But 'spare reels' sold out! Damn! Well, I'm not going to go buy it
again ... and I wouldn't wait to find it somewhere else, cause I wanted my
TUBORM! Anyway, it KICKS 201 ASSES SIMULTANEOUSLY!!!! Just thought I'd add
my 2 cents .... anyway, would anyone be willing to make a copy of the video
tape for me (I'd send money for postage and the tape)? I'd really like it
... but I don't want to go spend another $25 for it!
Well, go Ben Folds Five! Letterman's next! ... I'll probably post
another time about the album ... I'm on "Regrets" right now ... wow ... it's
all great ...
Adam
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 1999 18:57:53 EDT
From: SilvrStar5@aol.com
Subject: new album
The album kicks ass; the band too , but I was really surprised to see that
lots of the songs on "Reinhold.." are ballads. My guess is Brick had a major
part to do with this...
~allison
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 1999 19:36:15 EDT
From: Eze114@aol.com
Subject: TUBORM
Well I just got TUBORM about 2 hours ago and I am trying to get used to it.
It's pretty different than their past cds in my opinion (except for Army). I
like it though, it's starting to grow on me. I can't believe how slow the
majority of the songs are. I'm really likin Lullabye--it's beautiful. Many of
the songs sound "old" to me--like you'd hear em in a 1965 jazz club---but
it's a good thing. Well--I'm gonna end this so I can go back to memorizing
the words and getting to knwo the songs before next week's show at the Park
West!! -Erin
------------------------------
End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1490
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