Ben Folds Rockin' The Suburbs CD

For ROCKIN' THE SUBURBS, Ben Folds has subtracted two from Ben Folds Five (bassist Robert Sledge & drummer Darren Jessee) and the remainder is one. While math may not be Folds' strong point, penning witty, intelligent pop tunes has been his forte from the beginning. With his solo debut, he proves himself eminently capable outside the safe structure of his able band. Of all the 70's/80's pop icons to which Folds is frequently compared (i.e. Billy Joel, Elton John, Joe Jackson), Todd Rundgren rings the truest. If one extends that comparison, "Still Fighting It" (with its instantly memorable refrain "it sucks to grow up") is Folds's "Hello It's Me," a somewhat simple yet subtly moving and eminently catchy ballad made for radio play.

On the title track, Folds proves he hasn't entirely grown beyond the goofball humor that first captured his audience's attention ("y'all don't know what it's like being male, middle-class and white") as he rags on either himself or (more likely) angry young rock bands like Limp Bizkit. This balance struck between sober maturity and youthful playfulness makes ROCKIN' THE SUBURBS a provocative record.

Recorded at Krell Studios, Adelaide, Australia; The Mix Room and Ben Grosse's House, Los Angeles, California.

Personnel: Ben Folds (piano); John McCrea (vocals); Richard Fortus (guitar); Larry Corbett (cello); John Vitale (programming).

Audio Mixer: Ben Grosse.

Recording information: Krell Studios, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Lafx, Los Angeles, CA; Mad Hatter, Los Angeles, CA; Mix Room, Los Angeles, CA.

Arranger: John Mark Painter.

Personnel includes: Ben Folds (vocals, various instruments); Frally Hynes, John McCrea (vocals); Richard Fortus (guitar); Larry Corbett (cello); DJ Swamp.

Rolling Stone (9/27/01, p.70) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Pop's most introspective wiseass.... indulging his taste for florid Seventies-style AM-radio pop with epic displays of one-man band virtuosity.... Folds' songcraft is a winning mixture of the plush and the prickly..."
Spin (9/01, pp.160,162) - 7 out of 10 - "...This is his NYLON CURTAIN...comprehending paradox and understatement like Billy Joel never could..."
Q (10/01, p.119) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Sometimes, it sails close to novelty record territory but Folds demonstrates exceptional skill in marrying wryly observational lyrics to upbeat piano-driven craziness..."
Alternative Press (10/01, p.79) - 8 out of 10 - "...Absolutely beautiful..."
Mojo (Publisher) (1/02, p.71) - Ranked #30 in Mojo's "Best [40] Albums of 2001".
Mojo (Publisher) (10/01, p.130) - "...Folds' songwriting continues to impress...."