The Unauthorized Biography Of Reinhold Messner - 8392

Amazon.com Simultaneously challenging and accessible, The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner is a song cycle about death and dying, people, relationships, optimism, innocence--you name it. On his first two albums, Ben Folds was quick to toss off bombs of blame (most notably on the vitriolic "Song for the Dumped"), but here he aims most of his criticism at the mirror. On the wondrously snarky "Redneck Past" he sings, "My ex-wives all despise me / try to put it all behind me / but my redneck past is nipping at my heels." Apparently he doesn't have a chip on his piano any more. The production is lush and ornate, with strings and horns embellishing Folds's usual quota of to-die-for hooks (which he seems to dash off as effortlessly as postcards from the beach). An obvious point of reference is Pet Sounds, but Ben Folds Five widen their scope to also include hints of Steely Dan, Pink Floyd, and even Queen, whose influence is front and center on the bombastic opener "Narcolepsy," a virtual homage to "Bohemian Rhapsody." Other highlights include "Army," a hilariously detailed indie-rock answer to Billy Joel's "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant." --David Menconi Product description Third studio album released in 1999 and the bands last release before their break up in 2000. The album's title stems from the bands drummer and his friends on fake IDs as teenagers. Review A significant development...underneath, it's still the BFF in all their ragged, all-boys-together glory, it's just that bit better. -- Mojo
ASIN: B00000IMYT
VSKU: GGV.B00000IMYT.LN
Condition: Like New
Author/Artist:Ben Folds Five
Binding: Audio cd