Dec 19 2006
The Army
No real story behind the video clip I want to post tonight. Just a great song from a greatly underrated band that never obtained the popularity they deserved.
Ben Folds Five was a three-member band that was around during the late 1990′s. Folds himself once described their music as “punk rock for sissies”, a reaction to the grunge angst prevalent in early 90s rock. The band eventually broke-up in 2000, and after their breakup, Folds began a successful solo career. I know many who would disagree, but although he still makes great music, in my opinion, it doesn’t have the same impact as it did when he was a member of the group.
To my recollection, this was probably the most popular song from their last CD, “The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner.” Although I still wasn’t that familiar with the band at the time, the name of the CD was one reason I looked into their music. I thought that, with a geeked out name like that, they can’t take themselves too seriously, and they probably make pretty decent music. For some reason, I seem to recall initially thinking that was actually the name of the band. But I’m kinda slow like that, so that would explain it.
The CD actually takes its title from a made-up name the members of band and their friends used for fake identity when they were still too young to buy alcohol. Much of the CD is filled with serious heartfelt ballads and “The Army” is probably the only song on the CD showing the smart-ass persona that makes Folds great (i.e., 200 Angry Dwarfs, Battle of Who Could Care Less).
Ben Folds Five – Army
