Ben Folds Five

Label

Passenger

Release year

1995

Producer

Caleb Southern

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The Ben Folds Five debut album exposed a new generation to the piano rock of Billy Joel and Elton John with Gen X sarcasm and wit

Author & Special Guests

Tim Minneci

Dig Me Out Podcast

Jason Dziak

Dig Me Out Podcast

Katie Minneci

Show Announcer

It's hard to imagine a piano-led trio playing power-pop and 70s singer-songwriter influenced songs making headway in the sea of sorrow that was the first half of the 90s. Maybe it's better Ben Folds Five made their debut in 1995, when labels abandoned looking for the next Pearl Jam or Nirvana and went after anyone with a radio-friendly song that could pair with an MTV video. Boasting Billy Joel and Elton John-style piano flourishes over fuzzed out basslines and active drums, the trio move deftly through a dozen tracks of "punk rock for sissies" with smarts and savvy, keeping the songs tight with memorable melodies throughout. Though they would shoot into the mainstream on their follow-up, the self-titled debut effort shows the band had the songwriting chops from the start.

Episode Transcript

Does This album bring back some great vibes?

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Songs in this episode

Intro - Jackson Cannery
21:55 - The Best Imitation of Myself
38:32 - Video
44:47 - Underground
Outro - Philosophy

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