40. Games – That We Can Play EP
1. Games - Strawberry Skies
39. Delorean – Subiza
2. Delorean - Simple Graces
38. Brothertiger – Vision Tunnels EP
3. Brothertiger - Lovers
37. The Thermals – Personal Life
4. The Thermals - I Don't Believe You
36. Diamond Rings – Special Affections
5. Diamond Rings - Show Me Your Stuff
100. 1. Vampire Weekend - White Sky
99. 2. The National - Lemonworld
98. 3. Magic Kids - Superball
97. 4. Drake - Up All Night (feat. Nicki Minaj)
96. 5. Free Energy - Bang Pop
95. 6. Katy Perry - Teenage Dream
94. 7. Evan Voytas - Our Thing
93. 8. DOM - Burn Bridges
92. 9. Games - Strawberry Skies
91. 10. Dominique Young Unique - Show My Ass
150. 1. Toro y Moi - Causers Of This
149. 2. Toadies - Pink
148. 3. Surfer Blood - Take It Easy
147. 4. Local Natives - Warning Sign
146. 5. Dominque Young Unique - War Talk
145. 6. Magic Kids - Good To Be
144. 7. Rihanna - Cheers (Drink To That)
143. 8. Deftones - Royal
142. 9. Wavves - Super Soaker
141. 10. Thrift Store Cowboys - One Gentle Inch To Nine Violent Miles
200. 1. The Golden Filter - Solid Gold
199. 2. Delorean - Real Love
198. 3. Band of Horses - On My Way Back Home
197. 4. Games - Heartlands
196. 5. Cults - Oh My God
195. 6. El Guincho - Bombay
194. 7. Marnie Stern - Nothing Left
193. 8. Interpol - Barricade
192. 9. Ke$ha - Your Love Is My Drug
191. 10. Janelle Monae - Make the Bus (feat. of Montreal)
Since his breakthrough in the early 90’s with the Five, Ben Folds has made his trademark piano pop and lyrical witticism known. Combining parts snark, smart-assery, and sentiment, Folds’ quirk has been adored by millions for years. Lyrically, you could probably aptly compare hm to a groundbreaking, clever, honest film/novel like, say…..High Fidelity.
How appropriate then, that the creator of that aforementioned work would be a Ben Folds fan, and that this pairing would grow into a long-lasting friendship which has blossomed into a collaborative musical effort. And indeed, the team of Nick Hornby/Ben Folds is a perfect match on Lonely Avenue. With the author at the lyrical helm, Folds is free to focus on the score, and the results are the freshest he’s sounded in a while.
The lyrics, unsurprisingly, feel like Folds tunes, mixing up cynicism with pathos, practicality with sympathy. “Levi Johnston’s Blues” is an earnest look into Bristol Palin’s baby dadddy, with no sarcasm attached. “Belinda” is a sad tale of a one-hit wonder who clings to his past fame and the sweetheart that inspired it. “Claire’s Ninth” is a frank look at how a young girl deals with divorce on her birthday.
Hornby’s words are strong, and they fit perfectly with Folds’ keen approach to melody, and because of this solid teaming, the pianist has delivered his finest album since Rockin’ the Suburbs. With an outing this impressive the first time around, how could you not root for a sequel?
