Ben Folds Five

Ben Folds Five has been one of the bands that I've loved for a very long time and I've always wished I could see live but I knew that I never could due to the fact that they broke apart ten years ago. In January/February when I heard that they were recording a new album, I thought that I might finally get the chance. In June, when they announced they were going to be touring and they were, in fact, going to be in Dallas, I knew that I was going. I didn't care how much the tickets were, where the show was going to be, I knew that I was going to go.

And I'm really glad I did.

There was a part of me that was a bit worried that I was expecting too much out of this show. I mean, they haven't played together in ten years, what if that chemistry that you hear on their old records just isn't there? What if I saw them live and it just wasn't everything I had been thinking it would be and it should be and I just left disappointed and disillusioned? There was a small part of my brain that was telling me that this group I've wished I had had a chance to see for over ten years would not be able to measure up to everything I was expecting. It's a good thing I very rarely listen to that part of my brain. Because they still have it.

Not only does Ben Folds have an insane amount of talent (and maybe a touch of ADD) so he can hear a comment in the crowd and then create an improv song that's ten times better than most of the generic crap on the radio, but Robert Sledge and Darren Jessee are able to keep pace with him (because they, too, are insanely talented musicians). Even though you're in a venue with a thousand other people, you get the feeling that they are just having fun and they enjoy being back together. Or they can't stand each other so Ben really just made up a song when Robert had to run off stage to go to the bathroom out of spite... No, I'm going with they enjoy it and each other. Ben takes the time to talk to the crowd in a way that isn't forced and most definitely isn't a rehearsed speech he does at every concert. And hearing songs like "Brick" and "Draw a Crowd" and "Army" and "Alice Childress" and "Battle of Who Could Care Less" and "Kate" and "Jackson Cannery" and "Erase Me" was just amazing. The little kid inside me last night was absolutely thrilled. And so was the adult me.

I've seen Ben Folds on his solo tour, I've seen Ben Folds with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, but none of that compares to seeing Ben Folds Five back together again

Ben Folds Five is Back!!!

For those of you that are unaware, Ben Folds Five has finally returned to the studio to record their first album since 1999. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm extremely excited to find out about this news.

I've been a huge fan of Ben Folds since I first listened to him in the early 00's. There are few artists that I can say that I own a physical copy of every one of their albums, and Ben Folds is one of those artists. I own every Ben Folds, Ben Folds Five, and The Bens album that has ever been released. Unless there's some unknown album out there not released to the general public. Knowing that there is a new Ben Folds Five album that will soon grace my ears is almost more than I can handle.

Ben released news of the new album in January and I really haven't wanted to talk about it too much since then. Mostly due to the fact that there has been no new information regarding the latest project. Now, I'm happy to say that you can become a part of this project. You can help alleviate the costs of production, studio time, and even helping to raise awareness for Music Therapy. You can make a pledge of as little as $10 to receive a digital copy of the new album and help support this project.

This project was announced on May 7th, this past Monday. I was going to take a moment to urge you to pledge so that this project would be funded, but finals and work decided I would be too busy to actually have time to talk about it. And in the time between then and now, the project is fully funded. Actually, the fans quickly spread the word and awareness and the project was funded in full by Monday evening. You can still pledge and receive some of the perks and know that you're helping an amazing band and raise awareness for Music Education and Music Therapy.

You can learn more about this new project by clicking here and learning more about the new album. And even if you're not interested or unable to pledge, keep an eye out for the new album and any new information!! It wont be too much longer! I think this thirteen year break has been far too long....

Day 1: Your Favorite Song

So, Day 1 is your favorite song.

This is actually a really difficult choice because I am a huge music lover and it has been such a huge part of my life, and will continue to be. I've had to think about this a lot. So I decided to pick the song that Austin and I consider "our song". This is going to be the song we use for our first dance and it means a lot to both of us.