Ben Folds - Stems and Seeds

Stems and Seeds is Ben folds less compressed version of his previous album “Way to Normal” released in February of 2009. The album has its merits, the four songs Bitch Went Nuts, Hiroshima, Kylie and Connecticut, and You Don’t Know Me are really the only sounds I enjoy from the 20 song album. I’m a huge fan of Ben Folds, but a lot of his newer material isn’t doing it for me. I miss the funky and jam band style of Ben Folds Five, however those day are gone. What I do enjoy most about Ben Folds solo records is his musicianship is very impressive and his songs do reach out to his audience and we can relate to a lot of his songs. It’s rare to have such a complementary mix between great lyrics and great music.

I saw Ben Folds perform at the House of Blues in Atlantic City during the summer and his set sounded amazing. I often felt myself wanting to hear his old material more over his new, but the energy Ben and his band created mixed the new and old together very well. Stems and Seeds needs time to adjust to if your use to Ben Folds more funky Ben Folds Five style; it’s a good listen though.

4/5 Stars