My alma mater, the University of Chicago, loves this phrase: the life of the mind. We love questions, in theory, and ambiguous problems, mainly because they lead to more questions-all of which in turn, enriches the life of the mind. So to hear the band that helped me through my formative years and had almost forgotten about, put a distinct sound to that enigmatic life is too poetic. It’s been over 10 years since the last Ben Folds Five album but the musicianship hasn’t faded and their music is as relevant and witty as ever. 
The characteristic Ben Folds Five sound and the lyrics haven’t strayed. If anything, the sound has developed into a grander feel similar to the score of a Broadway play. The composition of “Thank You for Breaking My Heart” makes me picture Ben Folds walking down a gloomy street after a bad break up. Specifically, it’s the breaks in the melody and supporting vocals that set the action in my mind to happen all on stage. At times, the band has a heavier feel with more electric bass than their previous albums that reminds me of the Black Keys but the riffs are distinctly Ben Folds Five. The band takes the right amount of liberty throughout the album to jam and trade solos so as not to dilute the lyrics and melodies. And as usual, the Ben Folds meshes the piano with whatever Blues/Jazz/Rock/Country/Pop feel the rest of the instruments are producing.
Ben lets a lot off his chest on The Sound of the Life of the Mind. Fans have come to learn a little about his love life and its woes, and we get more details filled in with relationships that didn’t work. They’re not major plot points but they are the most poignant memories he holds of them, which is better in a way. He also opens up about the realization of the effects of holding onto an image of his father, frozen in time, who died when he was young on “Away When You Were Here.”
It wouldn’t be a Ben Folds Five album if you didn’t chuckle a few times or have a “Did he really just sing that seriously?” moment. On the first track, “Erase Me,” while pointing out how absurdly cold and quick an ex has moved on after him, Ben sings that she did him like a bro and tased him. “Draw A Crowd” promotes doing what makes you feel good if things aren’t going your way, as the chorus goes, “If you’re feeling small and can’t draw a crowd/draw dicks on a wall.”
This is a very well rounded project from a band that has created its own lane in music genres. They don’t allow preconceived notions about a genre dictate how hard they can rock or how gently they can pour their hearts out, or even how silly they can get with their lyrics (where else are you gonna get a Bruce Lee reference in a love song?). You may find Ben Folds reaching on some high notes but he doesn’t care so much about the thinness of the air up there as the personal stories behind those notes.
4.5 / 5 bars
09 – Away When You Were Here
Ben Folds Five – “Away When You Were Here”
06 – Draw a Crowd
Ben Folds Five – “Draw A Crowd”
