Speed Graphic

Ben Folds Five's innately impulsive dynamic turned out two ragtag studio albums to great success early on in their career. Not until the overly polished Reinhold Messner did the band show any signs of losing focus. Messner displayed that the band was capable of composing more elaborate, polished compositions that somehow lacked the authenticity of the trio's early work. Less than two years later on September 11, 2001, Ben Folds released his much labored-over solo debut, Rockin' the Suburbs. Playing nearly every instrument on the lush album, Folds put forth his much acclaimed masterpiece to a country that lost all interest in songs that didn't include the words "proud" and "free." 

Since Suburbs, Folds has kept busy touring, releasing a live album, and working with his deft side-project The Bens. About two months ago Folds rousingly announced on his website that he had 24-hour access to a studio and he "planned to use it."

Prolific is the word here, Folds has already released his first five-song EP, Speed Graphic, and has two more planned before the end of the year. All three EPs will work as a warmup for his next studio LP, which he claims will be ready at the very beginning of 2004.

EPs are a great thing. If taken seriously, EPs can offer much more flexibility than the album format; then again, they can also leave room for slack. Folds opens up Speed Graphic with a cover of The Cure's "In Between Days," a bouncy summer song properly suited for teen angst, something Folds always embraces. After the strong opening Folds heads back into the Balladsville territory that hindered Messner with "Give Judy My Notice." While forgettably touching, "Judy" doesn't live up to the standard set by Suburbs and the rest of Speed Graphic.

"Protection" and "Dog" both sound like really good demos and leave much to be desired for Folds' up-and-coming full-length album.

The final song, "Wandering" stands as the focus point of the EP. Folds compares the song to his hit "Brick," which more often than not would be an overstatement but in this case is the exact opposite. "Wandering" sounds like a classic radio song and surely would be if American radio had any standards or quality control. "Wandering" reminds us that Folds is more than a creative joker; he has the ability to create bigger-than-life songs that could pull the heart strings of any Lee Greenwood fan.

Anyone can whip up an EP. Anyone can cover The Cure. Five songs - huge deal, right? While Speed Graphic might seem insignificant compared to Suburbs, it does its job of gettng Folds' juices flowing in preperation for his new album. Songs like "Wandering" have the unique ability to remind us how to slow down and take things in. Not too many artists are capable of that potency.     6.5/10

Written by G. William Locke