Ben Folds is so Damn Cool
Seriously – he’s just awesome and my recent update to, “Currently Enjoying” deserves a quick post. Fold’s most recent idea for an album, University a Capella!, came after he heard a bunch of college students singing his songs on YouTube. Fold’s was so moved by the renditions that he decided to travel to campuses around the country and record an a cappella album. Check out the CNN news story and at the very least read the interview. His responses just reinforce the fact that he’s a cool guy. The album only came out on Tuesday and I’ve only given it a quick listen, but my initial reaction is….it’s insanely cool. Not to mention a lot of fun to listen to. It’s definitely raw in spots, but that’s part of its charm. If you’re a Ben Fold’s fan, this album deserves $12.99 from your piggy bank.
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Hmmm…I don’t know if I dig this. While I respect the musicality of (some) troops (Rockapella!!, Da Vinci’s Notebook), a Capella to me just seems really lame (Recently I went to a wedding where my family friend married one of the Baker’s Dozen, the famous Yale a Capella troop and I told my table I thought the a Capella was stupid, turns out my table WAS the Baker’s Dozen! Doh!). My roommate is obsessed with it (most people I know in troops are obsessed) and tried to force it on anyone he came in contact with. His room is like a shrine to his troop at Williams which always creeped me out a little. I am proud to say I went to a college that wouldn’t allow a Capella. There was always some doe-eyed frosh that would quiet the caf down at dinner and say they were holding auditions and he or she would be met with the harshest of boos and hisses. I’ve heard my share of terrible a Capella troops (a kid I went to high school is in a co-ed troop in Virginia and their rendition of “Power of Love” is by far the worst thing I’ve ever heard, I can send you the youtube link if you want) and they make my ears bleed. I really like Ben Folds a ton but I can’t condone this.
@Emily and why exactly is a cappella lame? Because they don’t have instruments? And secondly, did you listen to any of the songs?
It’s lame because I say it is and what I say goes. Didn’t you know that? Actually, I think it’s lame because it envelops people and makes them obsessed…and then they feel like they have to go out and be apostles for their religion of a capella. And that’s annoying. And usually they butcher the songs horribly to the point where certain dead musicians would roll over in their graves.
And yes, I listened to some of the songs and I still can’t condone it. Even if any of my favorite artists put out an album like this, I still wouldn’t buy it.
For some extra reading, check out this NYT article about a capella. It’s good. Also, I told the Whiffenpoofs I hated a capella, not the Baker’s Dozen. I apologize for the error.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/23/fashion/23acappella.html
the group in the video soudns great, but the lead vocalist is bad.
i like a capella music, and the arrangment of ARMY was good in my opinion, i just wish they had a better guy singing the lyrics.
i will buy the album.
@Matt I agree. After listening to the album a few times through, Army may be the worst song on it. There are several others though that are fantastic – with some great voices.
This was posted on April 29th. I didn’t have anything new to read all week. Slacker.
@Bailey I know I know – I’ve been busy. I’ll try to get something up there soon!
@Emily sorry for the delay on your comment…the link you put in it messed with it. Anyways, I understand your gripe and it’s certainly a viable one. I guess I’ve never really had an opinion on a cappella or been bombarded with people who love it and telling me I should love it too – the latter of which, would make me dislike it…so I see where you’re coming from.