In an effort to write about something other than terrorism, here's an album review:
The latest release from Ben Folds entitled "Rockin' The Suburbs" is the artist's solo debut. Ben is best known for his previous band, Ben Folds Five, which broke up earlier this year to pursue other solo projects. The album reflects Ben's signature style of lyrical storytelling and rock operatic piano. Many tracks including "Annie Waits" and "The Ascent of Stan" deliver punchy rock riffs, and are reminicent of Ben Folds Five first two albums. However, Rockin' The Suburbs also contains the deeper "emo" elements found in the bands last album, The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner. This can be heard in tracks like "Losing Lisa" and "The Luckiest". The title track, "Rockin' The Suburbs" is the first single, and contains Ben's self-depricating cynical humor. "I'm rockin' the suburbs, just like Michael Jackson did, Except that he was talented". Ben also launches into his uncanny imitation of Zach De La Rocha of Rage Against The Machine on this track. If you've never heard Ben's music, it is quite unique. A cross between eloquent piano and hard driving rock with elements of punk, swing, rock opera, and electronica. Honestly, this is music that both Elton John and Fred Durst can enjoy.Maxim gave the album four stars, I would give it five. If you're interested, another great project Ben did was the highly experimental Fear of Pop album, on which William Shatner lends vocals.