Without 5, Ben Folds
'Songs For Silverman' is the second solo effort from the former Ben Folds Five frontman, err, Ben Folds. Caught up somewhere between 60's piano driven pop, early Billy Joel and non-threatening contemporary indie rock, Ben Folds fuses these styles without perhaps utilising the best elements of each.
The follow up to 2001's 'Rockin' In The Suburbs' shows a maturing in writing but a collection of songs which sound like an album full of rejected ballads. First song 'Bastard' sounds like REM in verse but a little more Beatles-esque in the chorus, which has added trumpeting for effect. Brian Wilson influenced 'Jesusland' tales the thoughts of a disapproving Jesus looking over a city at what it has become, although there are comparisons in the lyrical content with Poison's 'Something To Believe In' – However, Poison quite uniquely pointed the finger back at religion.
First single 'Landed' shows Mr. Folds at his piano tinkering best with catchy hooks and a song which if sung by Elton John would no doubt be a smash hit. Sounding remarkably like an Eels songs being sung by Michael Stipe, 'Gracie' is a touching lullaby about Ben's love for his daughter. Strings and enthusiastic pianos have you nodding your head and smiling like an idiot.
Dedicated to his late friend Elliot Smith, 'Late' has lyrics which have an honesty that demands you take notice. It's beautiful and straight from the heart.
A strange addition to the album is 'Weird' Al Yankovic, made famous for his satirical parodies of famous songs like 'Fat' - his take on Michael Jackson's 'Bad', and 'Smells Like Nirvana', no prizes for guessing what the original was. But Al has always been a good singer and adds the perfect backing harmonies on the song 'Time'.
'Songs For Silverman' is a light-hearted album of easy listening songs, gentle vocals and flashes of strings over the old Johanna. It's not bad. It's not revolutionary or particularly memorable. It's middle of the road American easy rock - nothing more and nothing less.