- The Unauthorized Biography Of Reinhold Messner by Ben Folds Five
- Artist: Ben Folds
- Release Date: Apr 1999
- Format: CD
- Record Label: 550 Music
- Genre: Alternative, Rock & Pop
- UPC: 074646980828
Simultaneously challenging and accessible, The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner is a song cycle about death and dying, people, relationships, optimism, innocence--you name it. On his first two albums, Ben Folds was quick to toss off bombs of blame (most notably on the vitriolic "Song for the Dumped"), but here he aims most of his criticism at the mirror.
On the wondrously snarky "Redneck Past" he sings, "My ex-wives all despise me / try to put it all behind me / but my redneck past is nipping at my heels." Apparently he doesn't have a chip on his piano any more. The production is lush and ornate, with strings and horns embellishing Folds's usual quota of to-die-for hooks (which he seems to dash off as effortlessly as postcards from the beach).
An obvious point of reference is Pet Sounds, but Ben Folds Five widen their scope to also include hints of Steely Dan, Pink Floyd, and even Queen, whose influence is front and center on the bombastic opener "Narcolepsy," a virtual homage to "Bohemian Rhapsody." Other highlights include "Army," a hilariously detailed indie-rock answer to Billy Joel's "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant."
Track listing
1. Narcolepsy 2. Don't Change Your Plans 3. Mess 4. Magic 5. Hospital Song 6. Army 7. Your Redneck Past 8. Your Most Valuable Possession 9. Regrets 10. Jane 11. Lullabye
This CD is in like new condition.. Purchase includes the Jewel case and all art and inserts.
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