This is the last Ben Folds Five album I came across. It really is strange how they've evolved yet how familiar it feels. As always Folds throws out hooks like they were nothing. To call it, "simple" would be inaccurate and strikes a similar tone as Whatever and Ever Amen. Maybe toned down on the bitterness. But something is different in a good way. Perhaps they weren't as worried about becoming pop artists since this was their first album on a small label and all.

At any rate if you like ANY of Ben Fold's stuff this shouldn't disappoint and makes for a good starting point along with the aforementioned Whatever and Ever Amen.

Favorites: Jackson Cannery
Philosophy
Where's Summer, B?
...really I'll just be supplying a track listing. If I had to take one off then Sports and Wine. And even then it is a sharp piece of songwriting on Folds part.

I will always remember being a teenager because of the music and all the times it gave me (among others), and Ben Folds Five will go down. Hopefully, I will love these songs another 40 years.

Ben Folds is the master at charming, pop gems. Ben Folds would go on to become more and more of an artist when he became a solo artist, but nothing was as jazzy, engaging, and good as his original band. He was a little younger, so I didn't expect to be the sarcastic person he was during his later years. I think I connect with earlier ones better. His topics later are deeper, but nothing can make up for BFF.

They say rock trio's are refined, and this band is as refined and full as you can get. With Folds on jazz-rock-waltz-pop piano, Robert Sledge's edgy and smooth bass, and Darren Jesse's, uh, good jazzy, and rocking drums, these guys already have a winning formula. They do. Their hooks don't always show the first time around, on the contrast, I liked some of them right away (Where's Summer B).

What always really sticks with me here are the vocals and lyrics. I am one that really doesn't care as much for lyrics than the music itself (although I do care, music is first), but on this, it's the best. His lyrics are gems. Some of the lines on here are infectious, they stick with you. Of course, you have Fold's voice. Some say his voice is a bit too high. There are some times where he does hit a note out of his calibur. The thing is, he sings true. For me, the best singers do what they are meant to do, bring out your emotions in a true, emotional way. Plus, his voice really isn't that high all the time. I think he has a wonderful voice. No _________ kidding you. Every _______ line he says sound real, he has a soul. The best singers do just this, whether it's Tom Waits, Frank Sinatra, Freddie Mercury, Bon Scott, Robert Plant (yeah I knocked him, but I take it back), David Lee Roth, and so on. No matter how many mass produced _____ like Nysnc or Ashlee Simpson trying to make a perfect voice, it's not going to happen.

This deserves the five star average. That's all I can end with. Check it out now.

I love Ben Folds & have been an avid fan since 1996. This album introduced me to his greatness. I'd heard "Alice Childress" on KCRW & had to pull over in the car. I love the raw sound & fuzz bass. Ben Folds is the Beatles for our generation!

I have everything Ben has ever done since this album (with the 5, by himself, with the Bens, etc.). This is still my favorite collection of Ben Folds tunes ever. Of course I will always have a place in my heart for Whatever and Ever Amen (I listened to it literally 1000's of times after it was released!) but this is the disc I can go back to and listen to all the way through any time (Whatever and Ever has some definite slow sections). This first eponymous CD is filled with great songs...every single one a "keeper." "Jackson Cannery", "Philosophy," "Boxing," "Uncle Walter," "Underground"...great songs to drive around in your car and rock out to. These guys were so good...I like Ben's solo work, of course, but the Ben Folds Five were the greatest.

One of my favorite pop albums of all time, and I enjoy this album even more than their more well-known 1997 album "Whatever & Ever Amen". The songs feel different from each other (the funkadelic edge of "Jackson Cannery" to the classic pop sounds of "Philosophy" and "Uncle Walter"), yet they sound enough the same to know what album you're listening to.

"Underground" and "Video" are also standout tracks on this CD. The former delivers the joys of alternative rock with an upbeat sound, while the latter a slower but very catchy look into the future when "we live in a video".

If you're looking for a sunny pop CD with excellent musicianship, look no further than right here.