Ben Folds live!

Ben Folds
Congress, Chicago
Friday, October 10, 2008

As a performer, there has always been a sense of duality surrounding Ben Folds. Initially, there was his alt-era piano-man rock outfit Ben Folds Five and, following the group’s demise, Ben Folds, sometimes introspective, sometimes cheeky solo artist. On record, there was the Folds who would heartbreakingly document a former girlfriend’s Christmas-time abortion trauma and, later, turn Dr. Dre’s “Bitches Ain’t Shit” into a straight-faced ironic novelty pop song. And, in town behind two very different editions of a single album, Folds presented yet another opportunity for fans to view both sides of his work.

Earlier in the summer, in anticipation of the inevitable leak of his then-unreleased record Way To Normal, Folds and his band recorded a mini-album’s worth of fake songs they “leaked” to the Internet, the majority of which shared titles with cuts from the real release. And while the stunt might seem like a forgettable prank, it was a move Folds apparently gave some weight. Throughout the evening, he and his full live band would often deliver a cut from the retail version of Way To Normal, proceeded or followed by its fake counterpart and, more often than not, a lengthy anecdote explaining either version. It was a move Folds likened onstage to “studying musicology.”

Surprisingly, many alternates were notably fleshed out for Web outtakes. Instead of a terse and crackling pop song, the spoof version of “Free Coffee” was a strikingly more alt-country composition, strongly recalling Counting Crows’ “Mrs. Potter’s Lullaby.” Elsewhere, the alternate “Bitch Went Nuts” was remarkable more for its narrative than anything else, telling the story of a Republican lawyer taking a leftist date to his office Christmas party, who freaks out at the entire staff after doing blow for the first time.

Yet while occasionally amusing and mildly interesting, the prospect of a set peppered with outtakes was a gamble that risked alienating all but the most die-hard fans. While Folds occasionally dipped into older solo material, such as on an impassioned version of “Zak And Sara” and the anthemic, crowd-harmonizing staple “Not The Same,” he barely scraped the surface of his Five-era library — a disappointment, given the outfit regrouped for a one-off show just recently.

Still, there was plenty of strength, if not range, from inclusions off the proper Way To Normal. The Normal, IL name-checking “Effington” received a warm reception, and stood as of one the disc’s most noteworthy selections, with an emphasis on melody and back-up harmonies. And the upbeat “Dr. Yang” proved to be a jamboree, with Folds shrieking halfway through and his piano rollicking along as the song picked up speed and kaleidoscope effects played out behind them on a giant curtain. By comparison, other moments showcased Folds’ more subdued sensibilities. The slower “Cologne” demonstrated not all piano ballads have to be sappy and saccharine (hear that, Chris Martin?), with images of snow falling behind the group as Folds counted down for the song’s chorus. “Kylie From Connecticut” engaged more so live than on record, with the somber tune providing a sorrowful sway as teal and violet lights bathed Folds and his group.

Over the course of the evening, Folds’ set showcased a variety of sides of the performer. And while his scope is definitely admirable, it felt a bit like cheating for the night to seem like so much of an inside joke — especially given the strength of the “official” Way To Normal material, not to mention Folds’ expansive catalog. Hopefully next time around he’ll remember that any joke that requires an explanation is usually better left untold.

— Jaime de’Medici

Category: Live Reviews, Weekly