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Last month The Lowell asked four writers to pick their favorite albums, pair up, swap, and review.
Nicola Householder, Columns and Profiles editor: Way to Normal is far from normal, in my opinion. This irony carries through the entirety of my favorite album, chock full of snide comments and snarky observations, set perfectly to ballads and brainy-pop. Way to Go, Mr. Folds.
CECILY'S REVIEW
With its sarcastic lyrics and excellent instrumentals, Ben Folds’ Way to Normal will have you rocking out one moment and in tears the next. Folds complains about one issue after another and his satirical gripes range from hilarious to heartbreaking.
In “Cologne”, a tragic breakup song, a man who visits his girlfriend in Europe finds out that she no longer wants to be with him and he is completely heartbroken. He keeps trying to let her go but is never able to. The sadness in his voice as he sings about how he’s unable to handle the departure nearly brings you to tears.
Another song with equally strong lyrics is “The Frown Song,” a lively song that complains about the unpleasant way many snobs live their lives. The woman he’s talking about leaves no tip for the waiter, considers herself more important than everyone else, but in the end is unhappy with her life. This kind of satire is found throughout the album.
Folds’ signature instrument, the piano, complements the album lyrics. In “The Frown Song,” the piano’s sound is so well incorporated, it sounds like it’s complaining along with Folds. Conversely, the piano plays a completely different role in the album’s first song “Hiroshima,” where the rapid chords provide liveliness and set the tone for the album.
Though keeping people entertained while complaining is difficult, Folds masters it. Way to Normal is definitely nothing to complain about.
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