I'm Chris McGarry! Music student, avid music lover, musician, etc. From West Coast of Scotland. Lov...
I'm Chris McGarry! Music student, avid music lover, musician, etc. From West Coast of Scotland. Love all different kinds of music, film and literature so I hope to help people out with their buys :)
Member since:10.07.2007
Reviews:1
When I put Whatever and Ever Amen in my cd player I get hit with nostalgia and happiness. I spent a good deal of high school listening to these records with Amen definitely ranking up there.
The band, self-described as 'punk rock for pussies', accurately reference this in the opening track 'One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces' with incredibly aggressive piano playing and distorted bass. Folds' lyrics may see his tongue stuck firmly in his cheek for a good deal of the time, but his references are so cleverly ironic while being brutally honest they hit remarkably close to the heart.
Obvious standouts on 'Amen' here are 'Song for the Dumped', radio hit 'Brick' and 'Kate' but there is not one weak track on the entire album. In fact after repeated listens I'm sure most will find the album-only tracks surprisingly stronger. 'Selfless Cold and Composed' is probably one of their most underrated songs and only after consistent listening and seeing it live [See: Ben Folds Five's Sessions at West 54th St DVD] will many understand how well arranged and written it is along with, quite frankly, just about every track on 'Whatever and Ever Amen'.
What is special about this Remastered Edition of 'Whatever and Ever Amen' is not just the fantastic remastering of the tracks (audiophiles will notice the difference easily) but the addition of several rare recordings. Standouts from this are the bouncy cover of 'Video Killed The Radio Star', the faux-showtune 'Theme from Dr Pyser' and the absolute standout cover of Flaming Lips song 'She Don't Use Jelly'. This song is a perfect example of Folds' masterful arrangements and the powerhouse performers this trio really are.
If you are new to Ben Folds Five then this is the perfect place to start, right in the middle of their entirely short lived career. If you own just the original 'Whatever and Ever Amen' LP then this is definitely a genuine buy for you as the bonus tracks and extra artwork/inlay make it worth it.
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