It’s an original concept, to be sure: Somewhere between a covers, tribute and greatest-hits album lies the latest endeavor by pop pianist Ben Folds. Following a nationwide submission contest, Folds chose vocal groups representing 15 institutions of higher learning to reinterpret songs spanning his career. Tracks were recorded live and sans any instrumental accompaniment. Some were captured in Folds’ own studio, some in common rooms; for a couple he sings lead, and for a couple the group’s chosen names (the University of Georgia’s With Someone Else’s Money; the University of Colorado Buffoons) are far more interesting than the overwhelmingly flat results.
The Details
Though Ben Folds Five’s “Boxing,” “Magic,” “Brick,” “Army,” “Fair,” “Evaporated” and “Selfless, Cold and Composed” make the cut, less-familiar solo material constitutes the majority of tracks. Additionally, what makes for intriguing exercises in rhythm, division of labor and overcoming the creative challenge of evoking keyboard runs and horn solos via a series of doo-doo-doo-waaaahs doesn’t necessarily translate into much more than a background-listening experience. For participants, their parents and completists only.
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