Ben Folds Five, Ben Folds Five, 1995, :46
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
I'm familiar with most of Ben Folds Five's work but never got around to their first album, even though "Uncle Walter" was a minor hit on MTV. Since then, I've heard most of these songs in live or demo versions. However, the originals are superior, bright and energetic. Excellent piano-driven power-pop. It's clear from this album that this talented quintet would be going places. Favorite tracks: the beautiful "Alice Childress," "Best Imitation of Myself" (sounds like a lost They Might Be Giants song), "Uncle Walter."
