Ben Folds – Way to Normal

Sony 2008

Rating: 5/10

Way to Normal, Ben Folds’ third solo album, sees the master of bouncy piano pop return to, uh, more bouncy piano pop. He still bangs on the piano with Elton John “Bennie and the Jets”-esque urgency, still sings in a self-consciously nerdy, affected tone, and still writes snarky, biting lyrics and songs with titles like “Bitch Went Nuts” and “The Frown Song.” And so while Way to Normal is more of the same, this works just as much against Folds as it does for him.

Take, for example, the college humor of the not-so-subtly-titled “Effington.” Atop a rippling piano line and a up-tempo drum rhythm, Folds overuses his trademark irreverent habit for out-of-place curses, proclaiming “Effington could be a wonderful effing place” and announcing that “if there’s a God he is laughing at us / and our football team.” Whether he’s talking about crazy ex’s or lost loves or public embarrassments, the message is quite clear (as it is on nearly all of the tunes here), but Folds’ one-dimensional humor and seemingly manufactured apathetic attitude makes Way to Normal a tiring, even slightly depressing, listen.

There are more than a few bright spots, however, once one overcomes Folds’ lyrics and often grating demeanor, and these are normally the ones where he lessens up on the piano banging and brings out songs that focus on melody rather than on topping one witty lyric after another. “Cologne” is an unusually touching soft ballad about breaking up that strikes the right tone between subject matter and music, while the fantastic “You Don’t Know Me” is not only the catchiest song on the album but Regina Spektor’s guest spot complements Folds’ wacky style perfectly. Best of all, the song doesn’t try to be anything more than it is; a totally acceptable, undeniably hooky pop song. Now if only Folds could keep his amusing/frustrating wit in check for more than a few songs, he could have a real winner on his hands.