So laid back that it struggles to stand up or stand out
'Song for the Dumped' begins with a burst but doesn't follow through hard enough. Parading lyrics like, "Well fuck you too/Give me my money back/Give me my money back you bitch" you expect more harshness from the music, but it just doesn't have the edge. 'Selfless, Cold And Composed' has a jazzy twist to it but only just lifts itself out of the 'dinner party' mould, whist 'Kate' has a real Neal Sedaka sound in both the music, vocals and delivery. 'Smoke' does at least attempt to sound different with the vocals giving an edge to it. With 'Steven's Last Night In Town' there's some good interplay between the vocals and music, making great use of the trumpet, clarinet and violin that are prevalent in this number and adding more depth- maybe that depth is what is lacking elsewhere to bring out the quality of the sound.
'Missing The War' with its poignant lyrics; "She's sleeping like a baby/She doesn't know he wasn't meant for this/I'm missing the war/I'm missing the war all night" is by far the best number here. It's expressive and emotional, giving an insight to a different approach in the way everyone that takes part in conflict becomes a victim of it themselves and has a Lennon and McCartney feel to it.
'Evaporated' uses good string arrangements to compliment the vocals and keyboard and communicates the emotion of the song excellently. Within the bonus tracks 'For All The Pretty People' although well played lacks punch and 'Mitchell Lane' begins with shouts of "I wanna' Rock" but it is just a mash of music that makes you think well, when are you gonna' Rock?
For any lovers of trashy pop tunes 'Video Killed the Radio Star' will be the diamond here. With its catchy, sing a long style it is one of those tunes that annoyingly sticks in your head only to surface when you want to think of something else. The best number here is 'Air' which puts you into the Swinging Sixties frame of mind; it connects, is colourful and works its way into your head really well. This is a number that shows you what Ben Folds Five can produce given the right song.
'Whatever And Ever Amen' is musically competent, but sadly it is also unexciting. If you want something for background mood music then it works, but anyone looking for power in their sounds would be disappointed.