THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #210 - March 28, 1997
THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #210
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message (not "The Magical Armchair, Issue #nnn").
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* Please keep non-Ben Folds Five content to a minimum.
* If you attend a show, you must post a review!
Topics for Today:
[CBC's got Ben Folds on the radio]
New album, good or not so good?
ben in philly
Leaf by leaf, and page by page...
Simply the Best
new album and my intro
Subject matter of "Brick"/tape swap
dumped onto a mix tape
laksjaskjd
Starting Fakebook of WAEA
Marijuana and "whoop-de-doo"...why it IS a big deal
The Total Bogusness of Channel Z!
Bff tickets
Ann Arbor- need a ride?
Phily Show
hateful people!
KOMEDA
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[Radio advisory:
For those in Canada or near the border able to receive the CBC Stereo
network, or if you have Real Audio, tune in the program Real Time this
Saturday evening, March 29th. It airs between 7 PM and Midnight Eastern
time. They will be featuring a few cuts from "Whatever and Ever Amen" on
the Listening Booth segment, which usually hits between 8:30 and 9:00 PM
(Eastern). Check their web page <http://realtime.cbcstereo.com> for more
information. -fjm]
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Date: Thu, 27 Mar 1997 08:09:45 -0600
From: Sam Rauch <sam@may.com>
Subject: New album, good or not so good?
BFFers, <----- (Someone who didn't know what that meant might demand
an explanation....)
I just wanted to pitch my .02 about slagging people who say they don't
like the new album. This is a discussion group, not a "Ben Folds Five
is the best band in the universe, so let's all sit around and agree"
group. I feel I must say that indeed it can be disappointing to put on
"Whatever...." and not have any tracks that match the energy of "Sports
and Wine" or some of the others from the first. Not by any stretch of
the imagination could I say that this album sucks (we have plenty of
other talentless bands for that), but I felt the twinge of
disappointment as I perused each new track and was quite surprised to
find none of them really hopping. Is it so hard to imagine that the
high energy/upbeat tempos of a lot of the cuts from the first one are
the reason some people enjoyed BFF? So let 'em say what they want to
say about it. We don't all have to love it.
Sam
p.s. I bet they'll still kick our asses live!
p.p.s. Any other Steely Dan fans out there?
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 1997 09:56:54 -0500 (EST)
From: nick <nyates@nimbus.ocis.temple.edu>
Subject: ben in philly
hey!
ben folds five in philly on april 30!!!!!
whoohoo!!
nicole
******************************************************************************
nyates@nimbus.temple.edu | nicole yates |"purple is a fruit"- homer simpson
http://astro.ocis.temple.edu/~cunningh
******************************************************************************
"Rosebud. Yes, Rosebud green peas. Full of country goodness and
green pea-ness. Wait, that's terrible! I quit... Just a handful for the
road... Oh what luck, there's a french fry stuck in my beard!", Orson Wells.
******************************************************************************
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Date: Thu, 27 Mar 1997 07:48:48 -0700 (MST)
From: DMJ@ACES.COM
Subject: Leaf by leaf, and page by page...
Hey y'all...
I've just sort of been skimming through all the early reviews on the
new album, and thought I'd throw in my 2 cents as well. I find it interesting
that a few people have mentioned the abundance of ballads on this album...
I share the same sentiments.... I'm much more into the more upbeat tunes.
Ironically, tho, my favorite tune on the album is Smoke. Like another
person mentioned (Erik?), the song just gives me chills. However, I'm not
as hip on the other slow tunes... Evaporate... Brick... Cigarette...
Other'n Smoke, I really enjoy One Angry Dwarf, BoWCCL, Kate, Song for
the Dumped, etc. Okay, I like the whole thing. =)
Don't get me wrong, I don't _dislike_ the slow tunes on the album, but
just don't enjoy 'em as much as the upbeat ones. And while a lot of
people are saying they like the 1st album better, I'd have to say that
they run neck and neck as far as I'm concerned...
Anyway... going to the Houston show (only $1.07 to get in!), and going
to try my hardest to make it to the Austin show as well. BFF's show in
Houston last year was one of the best concert's I've ever been to...
I do wish that I could always see BFF in the small clubs, but I s'pose
it's rather unfair to want to keep the band from their deserved popularity.
Heh.
--Don
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Date: Thu, 27 Mar 1997 10:07:59 -0500
From: Yates Dew <ydew@legnetwork.com>
Subject: Simply the Best
I was fortunate enough to go to college in Chapel Hill and watch/hear the
BFF phenonenon evolve. I love to see them succeed, but I will miss the
intimacy of the smaller club circuit. Darren, Ben, and Robert - you
deserve everything great that is coming and will come to you. You guys are
simply the best.
Yates Dew
ydew@legnetwork.com
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 97 10:32:11 EST
From: Chris newbiehead McCormick <U410001@VM.SC.EDU>
Subject: new album and my intro
Howdy all. My name's Chris McCormick and I am officially a newbie. Been
lurking for about a week and a half. I'm a senior at the University of
South Carolina, English and theater. My fave bands are- the Indigo Girls
(#1), Tori Amos, Jeff Buckley, the Replacements, TMBG, etc.
Wanna echo a few thoughts. Guaraldi is right on. I have that Charlie
Brown Christmas special tape and on of the songs (can't think of the name
right now) is really similar to the atmospheric pieces Guaraldi does. One
Angry Dwarf and Brick are my current faves, and yes, I think there are too
many flaccid songs on this album. Geez, guys, do we all have to fall into
that "I'm on email so I can preach to everyone" mode? In MY HUMBLE
OPINION, if someone says something you disagree with, the correct response
is "I disagree with you ," or "You asshole, you're wrong," or even "Don't
forget I know where you live and I have a big hairy Rottweiler practicing
on your photo" (heh) but why go into this annoying "you need to learn
about net ettiquette and how to deal with humanity so I am going to open
my vast store of superior knowledge and help you to be human being like
the rest of us" crap. Anyway. Of course, I'm preaching about what _I_
think, so flame away. :)
But I still think the *ballads* on the first album are much better than
the ones on this one, which seem to ramble. Ben seems to be writing
clever stuff without thinking about where he's going with it. Man, _Alice
Childress_ is one of my favorites, but several of these songs put me to
sleep. I hope that more listens will enlighten me.
Signing off, as if anyone read _this_ far....
Chris McCormick
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 1997 10:50:31 -0500 (EST)
From: Rob Tannenbaum <tbaum@echonyc.com>
Subject: Subject matter of "Brick"/tape swap
"Brick" is almost certainly about an abortion. Ben has neither confirmed
nor denied this; his only comment was that it's based on a personal
experience.
I have a Sony-issued advance cassette of the album, and maybe a bio/photo
too, to swap for a tape of a very high-quality bootleg. Anyone who's
interested, please send me private email.
Rob
tbaum@echonyc.com
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 1997 11:02:08 -0500
From: Cynthia Wang <cynthia@people.timeinc.com>
Subject: dumped onto a mix tape
Hey all,
First off, have to say, I'm really excited about the Irving Plaza gig in
New York on April 28. But having never been to the venue, could someone
e-mail me privately about what it's like? I'm not old, but I feel like I'm
getting there, and if I'm going to be standing for hours crushed next to
moshing young'uns, I wanna be prepared. Anyhoo, it would be nice to see
some Armchairers there!
Secondly, I agree with Emma Driver about "Song for the Dumped" being not
just a song for guys. It's a great belt-out-loud tune for anyone with the
inclination to burst into song, although I've had the urge to do just that
at work, which is just a wee bit inappropriate.....
Lastly, an earlier post listed Fountains of Wayne as a support band for BFF
in England and compared them with Kula Shaker..... FofW was probably not
the band you saw, if Kula is your comparison. FofW craft witty little pop
tunes that, although conventional sounding l to BFF fans' ears, also
contain really smart, funny lyrics. Both groups can place their tongues
firmly into their cheeks. Actually, a good back-to-back mix-tape pairing
would be to have "Song for the Dumped" ("Well f*** you too! Give me my
money back/give me my money back, you bitch") followed by FofW's "You Curse
at Girls" ("They say, you curse at girls/Don't you know it isn't right/You
could get yourself in trouble...")
Oh well, it seemed to work for me! Talk to y'all later,
Cynthia
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 1997 10:53:05 -0500 (EST)
From: Iodine <el266071@hvcc.edu>
Subject: laksjaskjd
umm..i dont have much to say except..i have seen a few of you talk
about tapes of our lovely BFF live, and i was wondering if someone may
graciously want to possibly send a tape or two my way..? i have money
and blank tapes i could send, OR, if anyone on this list is into hehe
Soundgarden..i have a ton of that..well, if anyone can help me out its
greatly appreciated :)
and i may as well say somthing else..i cant believe that Selfless,
Cold and Composed isnt among the ranks of one of the best songs on the new
album..i mean..i just REALLY LIKE this song, but then again Im kinda
weird, so..oh well :)
"Give me my money back, you bitch." - Ben Folds Five
Mostly Harmless (bbs.cowland.com/giuseppe)
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 1997 11:12:13 -0500 (EST)
From: Mint-Chocolate <fender@grove.ufl.EDU>
Subject: Starting Fakebook of WAEA
Hi there,
Now that I'm over that intitial period of non-stop listening, like
I'm sure most of you experienced, I'm about ready to start writing the
fakebook for Whatever. Umm, if anyone knows where I can just D/L a
complete lyrics file, that'd make it much easier. Also, the reason I'm
writing: For all of you who used the FB for the debut, do you have any
suggestions on how I could improve it? I like doing it in the standard
Windows-text format rather than the 80-col terminal text, so that probably
won't change. As for the songs themselves, "Cigarette" is the only one
that may take a while, and I don't know if I'll be able to arrange that
one for guitar, but I'll try. Anyway.
For those who love the new album, right on. For those that don't,
you never know. With these guys, I wouldn't be surprised if the next
album turns out even more frantic than the 1st. Unfortunately, it just
seems SOOO far away. (sob)
Anybody have any cool bootlegs (I'd LOVE to have VKtRS) that they
could send me for all my hard work (I'm begging here). Well, e-mail me if
you have any suggestions or whatnot. See you later everyone!
Steve Clay
fender@grove.ufl.edu
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 1997 10:34:23 -0600
From: REV105-Keep The Air Alive! <holmstd@ssu.southwest.msus.edu>
Subject: Marijuana and "whoop-de-doo"...why it IS a big deal
PLEASE excuse the SOAPBOX here y'all...skip down if you don't wanna hear it...
<dmaceach@is2.dal.ca> said in the last armchair (#207):
>...an easy way to get people to think you're cool is to mention marijuana
>...whole resurgence of marijuana's popularity I find very funny...
>...I don't think it's such a big deal. I've smoked it, whoop-de-doo.
>...Get over your bad selves, it's only marijuana.
There's one flaw here...one six letter acronym that makes this stuff this
popular. The USA and DEA are press agents for pot. If they let everyone
smoke the stuff in the country freely, then three distinct things would
happen.
1) it would get all the obsessives tied to it and sink them like booze does
alchoholics. natural selection?
2) it would be found and utilized on limited terms by religious spiritualists
3) most people would lose the 'recreational' interest, since it's more
about mind expansion than 'senseless fun' anyway.
But thanks to the publicity of the USA and DEA, we have the grungy grimy
nasty image of this alternate neurotransmitter, worse than that of straight
biological poisons like alcohol.
So ben i think trying to do his part to desensitize America to the 'lethal'
image this neurotransmitter has from being grouped with poisons, toxins,
and physical antagonists.
*steps down from soapbox* sorry y'all...couldn't help it...
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 1997 11:53:13 -0500 (EST)
From: RhubarbCub@aol.com
Subject: The Total Bogusness of Channel Z!
The new BFF album hasn't been getting diddly-squat airplay on our local
Channel Z ("We're the coolest alternative format because we're so darned
corporate!"). It turns out that Ben isn't available to do the Dare To Care
concerts, so we get 24-hour Refreshments, Fleming and John, and Phunk
Junkees, while they pretend that BFF doesn't even exist. If they are going
to base airplay on Dare To Care concertizing, they should also declare a
moratorium on Alanis Morrisette, an artist who has absolutely ruined the
enjoyment of modern radio for me.
Hey, at least we can hear Ben playing drums on some of those Fleming and John
songs. :)
Ned and his red socks
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 1997 11:54:21 -0500 (EST)
From: CLOSERGIRL@aol.com
Subject: Bff tickets
Hello All,
I was just wondering if anyone in the NYC area got tickets for the April 28
show at Irving Plaza. I also got tickets for the 30 in Philly. I've been
waiting for over a year to see these guys again. I can't wait. Also I know
there are alot of ballads on the new cd, but the more I listen the more I
like. I love evaporated. Ben's just so emotional. Gotta love it!!!!!!!
See ya at the shows
Carrolyn :)
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Date: Thu, 27 Mar 1997 11:12:31 -0500 (EST)
From: Michele <mmenuck@umich.edu>
Subject: Ann Arbor- need a ride?
If there is anyone from the U of M/EMU area that needs a ride to the April
25th show at St. Andrews, my friends and I would be happy to provide one
(both ways, of course)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Michele R. Menuck
University of Michigan
mmenuck@umich.edu
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mmenuck
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 97 12:05:54 -0500
From: Mick Weeks <mickw@voicenet.com>
Subject: Phily Show
Hey all,
This is my first posting but I've been a lurker for a good long while
now. I just got the new album Monday and I absolutely love it! Can't stop
listening, but then I'n not saying anything everyone else already has.
Anyway, my brother and I are going to the Philly show and I noticed that
others mentioned that they're going too. Has anyone arranged a pre-show
gathering or anything like that? Like maybe going to the latest dish
before the show or something? Just wondering.
Mick
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 1997 11:16:53 -0600
From: nancy <ndoodle@ou.edu>
Subject: hateful people!
Whoa there, my rabid friend! Calm down folks! It's only commentary!
whoo!
nancy ;P
> Date: Mon, 24 Mar 1997 14:13:39 -0500 (EST)
> From: HanCran@aol.com
> Subject: Too Slow?
>
> Anyone who this there's "too many ballads" or not enough up tempo stuff
> should go buy the new Offspring album and shut the &%#* up. If you can't
> appreciate good music, fast or slow, then you've got no business calling
> yourself a BFF fan.
> Hannah Cranna
==============================================================================
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 1997 11:22:15 -0600
From: nancy <ndoodle@ou.edu>
Subject: KOMEDA
Komeda, as the sticker on the cover of my promo puts it....(I've already
told good ol' Adam about this...have you checked it out yet?!)
<<Minty Fresh is known for delivering exciting, quirky pop records and
Komeda is no exception. This swedish quartet combines the fresh sounds
of stereolab and the Cradigands with 60's exotica to deliver an odd pop
sound not found anywhere else.>>
I love this disc, but I gotta tell you, there is a deliberate stereolab
rip off in this one! but, hey, gotta luv it!
so there.
nancy ;)
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