Ben Folds

Ben Folds Five was made up of three guys, but singer/pianist Ben Folds was clearly its focus. Then he went solo on “Rockin’ the Suburbs.” “Songs for Silverman” is once again a trio record, but it’s billed to Folds alone–and rightly so–since he dominates with his clever wit and mawkish sentimentality. The disc is more somber than its predecessor, with less new wave inflection and more Elton John styled power ballads like “Landed.” He’s still the same Ben Folds, though. It’s a self-consciously grown-up, borderline-nostalgic disc from someone nonetheless taking great pains to hold tight onto his youth.

Best track: “Late,” part belated fan letter to, and part friendly reminiscence of, singer/songwriter Elliott Smith.

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Edited by Curt Wagner ([email protected]) and Chris Courtney ([email protected])