For those unaware, Ben Folds is celebrating three decades in the spotlight by releasing the very special anniversary edition of Ben Folds Five, the now-classic debut album from his iconic alt-rock trio.

Ben Folds Five (30th Anniversary) features the groundbreaking original LP, newly remastered, plus the long-awaited, fan-requested un-vaulting of the band’s mythical shelved first attempt, recently rediscovered on digital audio tape in Folds’ personal archives and specially remastered for this release.

Ben Folds Five (30th Anniversary) is out today via Capitol/UMe on 2CD and 2LP on 180-gram black vinyl, while the remaster of the original album as well as the Shelved First Attempt are both available now to stream and download.

A limited run of 1,000 copies of the vinyl, signed by all three band members, is available exclusively at www.uDiscoverMusic.com.

This first try of the album, produced by Dave “Stiff” Johnson, includes early, alternate versions of seven tracks from the album, a performance of the beloved song “Evaporated,” which would ultimately be re-recorded for the band’s 1997 sophomore album, Whatever And Ever Amen, plus three rare outtakes that didn’t make the eponymous debut (“Emaline,” “Dick Holster” and “Eddie Walker”).

The Shelved First Attempt was heralded with the fan-favorites “Underground (Shelved First Attempt)” and “Philosophy (Shelved First Attempt).”

In all honesty, this most beloved, and subsequently known as the Shelved First Attempt album is - and now listening to it here today on CD - most definitely from an era that isn’t of this one, so to speak. Well worth listening to, for sure, and it also contains some of the funniest stuff I’ve ever heard from them too, which was a joy to behold.

The album, Ben himself has revealed, was recorded in just three to four days and also included one day of putting on a show for the label, two days of actual tracking, one additional day for all the vocals and one day extra to mix over one 24-hour session. Add to that that the band had spent their gifted $14k and we not liking what they were making enough to have it be their debut, and some underhanded band slight of hands later, and what we know today as their debut was presented. Oh, and lest we forget that at that very same time their debut hit the charts there was actually a massive bidding war for their second album in place!

Thus, and as amazing and thoughtful as it is to know now, in somewhat of an artist self-reflection point of view how the album(s) came to be and not to be, I have to say that this Shelved First Attempt aside, Ben Folds Fives’ first two albums are flawless, life changing experiences. Humor meets virtuosity every second. I mean, it’s like listening to musical philosophy.

Furthermore, I think this debut album from the North Carolina band can be best described as rock/pop with clever lyrics and upbeat delivery. For a three piece they make a lot of noise, and Sledge employs fuzz bass to good effect, widening the sound to almost guitar/bass proportions. Folds’ upfront piano work is excellent, especially considering the fact that prominent piano playing is rarely used in current rock music, mainly due to the instrument’s rhythmic limitations.

The songs are fairly good too, particularly “Philosophy”, “Where’s Summer B?” and “Alice”. One drawback is the question of musical development beyond the limited confines of piano, bass and drums. Unless the songs are really top notch, there’s a sense that the overall sound becomes too predictable, as it does towards the end of this album.

In closing, it’s ultimately a law unto itself and unlike anything you’ll have heard before yet still retains a place in your collection as a classic pop record. Funnily enough, that is exactly how I could also describe this adjoining Shelved First Attempt recording, which makes this double CD a genuine musical treasure to behold and listen to.

About the Shelved First Attempt, and to elaborate more on prior conversations, Folds says: “The budget from Caroline Records, as I recall, was about $14k, all-in. We spent all of that in a proper three-week session in Philadelphia with a proper producer who had a few hits under his belt and who gave us a great deal. This version of the album was shelved and never saw the light of day. We had taken the time we needed and the advice of the very competent producer, but it resulted in an album that didn’t feel like us. I only recently happened to have found a cassette of this shelved album. It’s not bad, though I recall it being hideous… It’s just not crazy like the album we all know.”

The original lineup of Ben Folds Five – that is, Ben Folds (piano, vocals), Robert Sledge (bass), and Darren Jessee (drums) – will further commemorate the milestone anniversary of Ben Folds Five with a hugely anticipated series of live performances, their first run of shows together in more than 13 long years. Complete details will be announced soon.

Disc 1:
1. Jackson Cannery 2. Philosophy 3. Julianne 4. Where’s Summer B.? 5. Alice Childress 6. Underground 7. Sports & Wine 8. Uncle Walter 9. Best Imitation of Myself 10. Video 11. The Last Polka 12. Boxing

Disc 2:
1. Underground (Shelved First Attempt) 2. Julianne (Shelved First Attempt) 3. Uncle Walter (Shelved First Attempt) 4. Alice Childress (Shelved First Attempt) 5. Evaporated (Shelved First Attempt) 6. Dick Holster 7. Philosophy (Shelved First Attempt) 8. Boxing (Shelved First Attempt) 9. Emaline (Shelved First Attempt) 10. The Last Polka (Shelved First Attempt) 11. Eddie Walker (Shelved First Attempt)

Official Purchase Links

www.benfolds.com

Ben Folds @ Facebook