Review Summary: Ben....is back in the game.
Something you will notice without a doubt when you listen to Ben Folds is that what he writes has a signature sound. There is a certain harmony and structure to his music that makes you know what you are listening to is him. Early in his career, Folds wrote some classic works like “Whatever and Ever, Amen” which gained him a small dedicated group of fans. This core group grew as he continued to write, and most stood by him when he switched to his solo career and continued with his signature sound. All went well until “Way to Normal” came out. He hit a crack in the pavement and strayed from his sound to experiment with new options and sounds. Without the meaning and feeling that was on his older works, this album bombed…big time. He was at a low point in his career, but not for long. Consider “Lonely Avenue” his rebound. If you are looking for Ben Folds, as himself, then this album is the right thing for you.
Folds wasn’t down in the dirt for long. “Lonely Avenue” is a perfect return to form, with not only song writing to back it up, but the Ben Folds signature sound. You’ll notice he brought back harmonies much like the ones he used on “Rockin’ the Suburbs” and Songs For Silverman. There is much less guitar, more piano, and much more bass than there was on “Way to Normal.” Folds does a great job of putting the songs together and you can’t forget Nick Hornby who wrote the lyrics. Thier combination worked extremely well. If Ben Folds happened to be running out of ideas, Hornby must have been his golden light. The lyrics are fresh, unique, and catchy. They aren’t the typical Ben Folds, but you will notice they resemble his style a lot, and they are miles above anything Ben wrote on “Way to Normal.” You will also notice how well the album flows. Ben didn’t write the lyrics but he did write the songs. The way he interpreted Hornby’s lyrics to music is remarkable considering the only conversations the two had was using email.
The first time you listen to this album; don’t be surprised if you are unsure. It starts out sounding a lot like “Way to Normal” with synthesizer bleeps and quick piano tones but it becomes smoother. A Working Day is a playful but short song. If anything it’s the odd song out that doesn’t really fit into the rest of the album. Picture Window follows with a sombre but catchy chorus. The album really turns a corner on Levi Johnston’s Blues; a mix of old style, and new influences. After that, the rest of the album fits snugly in place. Every song fits its spot and plays its part quite well. The album ends with Belinda as the perfect closer. “Lonely Avenue” in general has a more solemn tone then his last couple albums, but overall it’s classic Ben Folds in every way.
If you’ve heard of Ben Folds but never heard his music, start with this. It is his most accessible work, and it’s damn good. Songs to check out are Levi Johnston’s Blues, Picture Window, From Above and Doc Pomus.
Lonely Avenue is quite possibly Ben Fold’s best album in his solo career, and an exciting reference point for his future work.
