Customer Reviews
Bitter Ben isn't at his best - By: A. Sweeney, 25 Nov 2008 
Before I start this review, I just want to say that I have been a huge fan of Ben's music since the release of the debut Ben Folds Five album backin 1995 & consider 2001's 'Rockin' The Suburbs' album to be one of my all time favourites, so I write from the perspective of a long-time admirer of the man & his work. However, with the exception of the 'Fear Of Pop' project, I think that - sadly -in 'Way To Normal' Ben has probably made his worst studio album to date.
The album starts off brightly. 'Hiroshima', a musical pastiche of Elton John's 'Bennie & The Jets', is a nice piece of inoffensive pop & 'Dr. Yang' is full of energy & pounding piano keys, although, production-wise, it could have been slightly less crashy & noisy. 'The Frown Song' is a decent enough track as well, but none of the opening three could be described as classics. The bouncy, melodic 'You Don't Know Me' (featuring Regina Spektor) is easily one of the album's highlights & one of the most obviously divorce-influenced tracks. 'Before Cologne' & 'Cologne' are very pretty pieces of music, although some of the lyricsin the latter really don't work - the news story part grates badly.
'Errant Dog' is an enjoyable track & reminds me very much of early Ben Folds Five - there's nothing particularly deep about it, but it still manages to be one of my favourite cuts here. 'Free Coffee' would be a good track if it wasn't for the really horrible metallic sound of the piano (achieved by putting empty Altoid tins on the piano strings), but still makes a good lyrical point. I think the next track will be either something you love or hate & does nothing to assist relations between men & women. Called 'B*tch Went Nuts', it is one of the most enjoyable tracks on the album as far as the music goes, but the lyrics are borderline offensive & could even be viewed as misogynistic. Of course, some will say that I should have a sense of humour about it & I have tried. I really have. Unfortunately, I don't think that Ben is joking. For humour to work, a lot is about the delivery, context & intent and, considering Ben's recent divorce, this song is difficult to love or find side-splittingly funny.
The rest of the album 'Brainwascht', 'Effington' & 'Kylie From Connecticut' are all fairly unremarkable & are about as good as each other. In fact, 'Effington' is a good example of Ben's humour on this album - it is a joke that quickly wears thin. I believe that a younger artist could probably have got away with some of the material on this album, but to hear such lame humour & juvenile cussing from a man Ben's age... well, it just doesn't sound that funny or entertaining. He is a man of huge musical talent, but so much of this album simply backfires & I think, quite honestly, that he simply needs to grow up a bit. He sounds best when he is exploring his more sensitive, positive side & very little of that is demonstrated on 'Way To Normal'.
Still, there is enough on this album for the Folds fan to be entertained, but this, for me, is most certainly his weakest studio album to date. I still love the guy, will keep the faith & continue to buy the music, but I'm definitely hoping for an improvement next time round.
Harking back to the good old days! - By: R. Moorcock, 25 Oct 2008 
I have been a big fan of Ben Folds since hearing uncle walter backin 1995, so i feel well placed to comment on this latest effort. I have never been compelled to review on amazon before but having read the other reviews here i feel someone needs to bring some sense to the argument!
Firstly, those who feel this album is crass have clearly only been into ben folds since the release of songs for silverman. Had they listened to any of his other albums, they would realise that his witty, un-pc style is exactly what makes ben who he is...one of the best songwriters of our generation. I'm also guessing these people werent exactly into b****s aint s**t either! If they dont like it - nobody is forcing them to listen.
So, on to my review! Put simply, ben folds writes two kinds of songs, touching, emotional balads & sarcastic, ironic witty stompers. His previous couple of albums fell mostly into the first category - as if Ben's humour was sedated by the bliss of marriage & parenthood; a dribbling, blubbering mess (maybe uncle walter?!)
Way to Normal returns to classic ben folds five. In my opinion this is when ben is at his best - just don't get on the wrong side of this man whatever you do!
This is exactly the kind of music that got me into ben folds fivein the first place & i would like to be the first to welcome back ben - its been far too long.
Folds back to his constant best. - By: Paul Reynolds, 05 Oct 2008 
This album has everything I love about Folds' music - it's witty, sarcastic & acerbic, but when you least expect it - after tracks matching that description such as Hiroshima, Free Coffee, Dr Yang - out of nowhere comes Cologne, which is a little more 'Songs for Silverman' & delivers like an emotional blow to the chest.
I love Ben Folds, & 'Way to Normal' shows why you should, too.
Ben Fold's strongest solo album, best album of 2008? - By: Mr. Stuart Wood, 04 Oct 2008 I was apprehensive at first, the production seemed flat & bland, & only a couple of tracks hit the spot. But like all great albums this is a grower, & one that I can now listen to from beginning to end with a smile on my face. It has funny, bitter, ironic lyrics & musically harks back to the old BF5 on some tracks, with more up-tempo energy than his previous release Songs for Silverman. It also contains some of his strongest work,in particular Cologne & Bitch Went Nuts are immediate standouts. So if you're an old fan or new to Ben Fold's this album is a must-own!
The Divorce Album - By: Scale Wheecher, 03 Oct 2008 This album is the sound of Folds both marking time & getting a few things off his chest. Yes, there are a few good songs on it (Folds is a very talented musician), but it also has filler & moments that leave a nasty tastein the mouth. It's clear what inspired more than a few of the songs, & divorce albums rarely make comfortable listening. It's an unhappy irony to see an album dedicated to his children, then hearing their mother being called a bitchin the lyrics.
"Hiroshima" is good, as is "You Don't Me", but without really breaking any new ground. "Errant Dog" is the worse of the sub-par filler, & appears to be making a point that has so far eluded me. Or am I reading too much into it?
Over all, a fair album. But seasoned fans will find it a disappointment.
