“Fair” – Ben Folds Five
(Words/music: Ben Folds, available on Whatever and Ever Amen, 550 Music / Sony 1997)

These days, Ben Folds splits his reputation between writing cheeky piano-pop and syrupy sweet ballads.  Looking at his recent releases, it’s hard to imagine Folds as someone more nuanced than adolescent humor (see his cover of “Bitches Ain’t Shit”) or sappy slow songs.  He still hits these moments as a solo artists, but with less frequency than he did with his cohorts in the Five.  Percussionist Darren Jesse and bassist Robert Sledge spent most of their time in Folds’ shadow (the band was named after him, of course) yet deserve credit for a lot of the finer moments on the band’s albums.  Take “Fair,” for instance – Sledge’s distorted bass tone and Jesse’s hi-hat work gives the song the texture that Folds can’t achieve on piano alone, helping to distinguish each of the songs sections from the others.  The rhythm section also joins Folds’ vocally by harmonizing throughout the song, either singing response vocals or wordless swells during the verse.

However, the spotlight eventually lands back on Folds, and with good reason.  Folds wrote the harmonies and gave his rhythm section the room to do what they do best.  He also wrote some excellent lines, the “every couple nights or so you know you pop into my dreams” part in particular.  There’s an attention to detail, both in the music and in the lyrics, that helps the song sound like more than the sum of its parts.  This is what made the Five work so well; Folds knew how to write for his band, playing up each individual’s strengths (including and especially his own).  Like a true band leader, he orchestrated his performers without leaving a performer exposed, presenting a balanced front where all three musicians contribute equally.  Then again, it’s easy to be egalitarian when it’s your name on the marquee.

More on Ben Folds Five: Allmusic | Amazon MP3 | Emusic | Last.fm