i’m not crying, you’re crying

tagged (sorta) by @loreofcardigan for 9 no-skip albums!

hold on baby - king princess

shadowlawn - django haskins

melodrama - lourde

in league with dragons - the mountain goats

end of the summer - dar williams

the unauthorized biography of reinhold messner - ben folds five

soviet kitsch - regina spektor

bury the lede - dessa

almost everyday - matt and kim

The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner

I don't know why I haven't listened to Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner in so long, it's great. Narcolepsy is a lovely track. I like the metaphor of uncontrollably falling asleep when you experience strong emotions as a stand-in for depression. I'm not thinking about any video game men btw

Bold What Applies: Ben Folds Five Edition

Rules: bold what always applies to your muse, italicize what applies sometimes or partially, and strike out what never applies. (Disclaimer: some pronouns have been changed to I/me/my or you/yours for the sake of consistency and clarity)

The Sound of the Life of the Mind:

Erase me, so you don’t have to face me // You can never escape me // I don’t want this thing to end // I stay at school so that I can hear the sound of the life of the mind // I had it all, or should I say I saw it all? // Home for me was always someone else // I missed you then and I miss you now // I want a different answer

Ben Folds Five:

I want to be lonely // Mother don’t know that I’m going far away // Go ahead, you can laugh all you want // I got my philosophy // I see that there is evil and I know that there is good // I’m crazy but I get the job done // I pushed you ‘cause I loved you guys // Got drunk and took her/him home and we slept in our clothes // I feel guilty for not giving a shit // I’d like to tell you everything // It doesn’t seem the same these days // I could settle down // There’s good in nearly everyone // I was never cool in school // I’m sure you don’t remember me // I’m still wondering who to be // I got this pain in my heart // I feel like a quote out of context, withholding the rest so I can be for you what you want to see // Time to go fool somebody else // Don’t want you hanging out with no one but me // As I’m growing older I’m bored // I remember when misery thrilled me much more // I can’t wait 'til the future gets here // If you really loved me, I wouldn’t have to be so mean // You can’t respect me 'cause I’ve done so much for you // My intention’s become not to lose what I’ve won // I’m scared and lonely and tired // Sometimes I punch myself as hard as I can

Whatever and Ever Amen:

I’m big and important // Kiss my ass goodbye // I’m your nightmare little man // You will be sorry when I’m big // I can’t just get rid of you like you got rid of me // God knows you’ve seen my worst // I’m lonely and I’m right // I am numb //  Now that I have found someone, I’m feeling more alone than I ever have before // It’s not me you’re dying for // You’re a brick and I’m drowning slowly // I broke down ‘cause I was tired of lying // I want my money back // I said what you wanted to hear // You’re everything I want, you’re everything I’m not // Everyday I wear the same thing // In a stupor from the drugs that didn’t ease the pain // I’ve charmed everyone here // I know it’s cool to be so bored // Nothing’s adding up and nothing’s making sense // Woke up way too late feeling hung over and old // I walked barefoot down the road // Here I stand sad and free // Oh, God, what have I done? // It’s all smiles and business these days // I’m sure back home, they think I’ve lost my mind // Everything’s the same // I’m still here when I could be anywhere

The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner:

Nothing hurts when I go to sleep // I know it seems that I don’t care // Sometimes I get the feeling that I won’t be on this planet for very long // You’re the reason I want to stay // I never understand these things I feel // My innocence has all but faded // I don’t believe in love // I’ve been thinking a lot today // I don’t blame you if you never come to see me here again // It’s my life and I can decorate it as I like

tagged by: @rapxir​ (( thank you! )) tagging: @paradiseturnedhell​ (Nick) @ithinkim-adorable​​ (Dean or Tony) @springtwirling​ (feel free to pick!) & whoever wants to steal it !

Bold What Applies: Ben Folds Five Edition

(Disclaimer: some pronouns have been changed to I/me/my or you/yours for the sake of consistency and clarity)

Rules: bold what always applies to your muse, italicize what applies sometimes or partially, and strike out what never applies.

Muse: Lou

Tagging: @zivah-the-courser @whatbecomesofprogress @rapxir @just--a--jinx and anyone else who wants to do it!

The Sound of the Life of the Mind:

Erase me, so you don’t have to face me // You can never escape me // I don’t want this thing to end // I stay at school so that I can hear the sound of the life of the mind // I had it all, or should I say I saw it all? // Home for me was always someone else // I missed you then and I miss you now // I want a different answer 

Ben Folds Five:

I want to be lonely // Mother don’t know that I’m going far away // Go ahead, you can laugh all you want // I got my philosophy // I see that there is evil and I know that there is good // I’m crazy but I get the job done // I pushed you ‘cause I loved you guys // Got drunk and took her home and we slept in our clothes // I feel guilty for not giving a shit // I’d like to tell you everything // It doesn’t seem the same these days // I could settle down // There’s good in nearly everyone // I was never cool in school // I’m sure you don’t remember me // I’m still wondering who to be // I got this pain in my heart // I feel like a quote out of context, withholding the rest so I can be for you what you want to see // Time to go fool somebody else // Don’t want you hanging out with no one but me // As I’m growing older I’m bored // I remember when misery thrilled me much more // I can’t wait 'til the future gets here // If you really loved me, I wouldn’t have to be so mean // You can’t respect me 'cause I’ve done so much for you // My intention’s become not to lose what I’ve won // I’m scared and lonely and tired // Sometimes I punch myself as hard as I can

Whatever and Ever Amen:

I’m big and important // Kiss my ass goodbye // I’m your nightmare little man // You will be sorry when I’m big // I just can’t get rid of you like you got rid of me // God knows you’ve seen my worst // I’m lonely and I’m right // I am numb //  Now that I have found someone, I’m feeling more alone than I ever have before // It’s not me you’re dying for // You’re a brick and I’m drowning slowly // I broke down ‘cause I was tired of lying // I want my money back // I said what you wanted to hear // You’re everything I want, you’re everything I’m not // Everyday I wear the same thing // In a stupor from the drugs that didn’t ease the pain // I’ve charmed everyone here // I know it’s cool to be so bored // Nothing’s adding up and nothing’s making sense // Woke up way too late feeling hung over and old // I walked barefoot down the road // Here I stand sad and free // Oh, God, what have I done? // It’s all smiles and business these days // I’m sure back home, they think I’ve lost my mind // Everything’s the same // I’m still here when I could be anywhere 

The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner:

Nothing hurts when I go to sleep // I know it seems that I don’t care // Sometimes I get the feeling that I won’t be on this planet for very long // You’re the reason I want to stay // I never understand these things I feel // My innocence has all but faded // I don’t believe in love // I’ve been thinking a lot today // I don’t blame you if you never come to see me here again // It’s my life and I can decorate it as I like

AllMusic Staff Pick: Ben Folds Five The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner

The follow-up to the popular Whatever and Ever Amen, Ben Folds Five's third LP, The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Mesner (released 25 years ago today), continues the eclectic and clever songwriting that has become the group's trademark. Like other piano-based rock composers such as Randy Newman and Todd Rundgren, principal songwriter and de facto leader Ben Folds combines an off-beat world view with equally off-kilter musical arrangements to create a thoroughly original sound.

- Steve Kurutz

BEN FOLDS FIVE

My very favourite 3 piece piano rock band. These 3 guys rock really hard when they want too, Ben swearing at the top of his lungs while slamming his piano as Darren and Robert slay on drums and bass. Yeah it's just piano, drums and bass. (As well as their 3 part harmonies). They can also turn on a time and make your emotions fall down as you hear the somber stories of Ben's life. It's such a unique and intriguing style that has not been replicated since.

There are so many little things that they did that I could talk about for hours, but I will move on to the recommendations.

First off, their debut and self titled album in 1995. A really strong album with so many big hits that slay so very hard. This album doesnt feature as many somber songs and goes heavy the majority of the time. The bass sounds amazing and the harmonies are beautiful. Definitely listen to this one.

Their second and their most popular album, Whatever and Ever, Amen, released in 1997 is much more evenly spread with heavy rockers and somber songs. If you somewhat recognize this band you probably have heard their big single from this album, Brick. But this album is a great listen all the way through.

(Also the remastered release of this album features their covers of Video Killed The Radio Star by The Buggles and their jazzy rendition of She Dont Use Jelly by the Flaming Lips)

Please check out these albums you wont regret it. Then you can move to The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner and their reunion album in 2012, The Sound of The Life of The Mind. (Also Naked Baby Photos but that's like only have of a new album)

ALSO... check out Ben Folds solo work, which I will probably cover in the future. It is really good.

7/29/21

Ben Folds Five, The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner, 1999.

Army - Ben Folds Five (The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner, 1999)

Ben Folds Five // “Magic,” from The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner

From the back of your big brown eyes, I knew you'd be gone as soon as you could, ...And I hoped you would We could see that you weren't yourself, And the lines on your face did tell, it's just as well; You'd never be yourself again.

Saw you last night, dance by the light of the moon. Stars in your eyes; free from the life that you knew...

ben folds (five) songs appeal to me personally, because i too am sad, lonely, and still bitter about high school.

I preordered this ages ago because I adore this record so when I heard it was getting a vinyl rerelease I decided to jump on it.  Basically because getting stuff from the 90's is a nightmare and even reissues seem to be hard to find because this hobby is full of aging Gen Xers.  Plus I had a promo code for this shop and well... I forgot about it until there was a knock on my door a half an hour ago.  I opened it and this was just sitting there.  Happy Day.

This is my favorite work Ben Folds has ever done even though I imagine other things are more popular.  I could be wrong, I am not well versed in Ben Folds fandom because it must exist but it is a thing I am not aware of.  I also own Whatever and Ever Amen because I quite like that album but have never felt a need for any of his solo stuff.  I would probably get their first album if I ever saw it but it isn't a burning need really.  This of course was their last record until 2012 rolled around and my generation of indie rockers turned major label acts suddenly became nostalgia act.  It's funny, I remember the anger directed at Baby Boomers who couldn't let go of the culture and age gracefully yet Superchuck comes out with a new album and it's like, "This is different cause this is good".  I remember kind of liking the new Bend Folds Five back when it came out but I probably haven't listened to it in 5 years or so. I think mainly it's because this was a pretty perfect bookend.  I couldn't have told you this was a breakup album when it came out but when the band broke up a year later it suddenly felt right because that's where this record was headed.  I am uncertain if the band knew it when they made it but they made a concept album that works to sketch a character who is a specific type of douche bag who feels very specific to my generation, a guy I had a part of in me as did many of my friends.  Now, it starts with the title as Reinhold Messner was the first man to climb mount Everest without oxygen but the band didn't know that, he was just a name on a fake ID that used to be used, so you already get into the sort of solipsism that a person is so focused on themselves they are unaware of the larger world.  Everything that exists in the world doesn't really exist outside them but as a part of them.  Facts, names, art, these are things that exist to show how interesting and special they are, they do not exist on their own, they are part of the story of this persons epic that is their life as a special snowflake. Every one of these songs is about the same kind of guy really, the sort of guy who sees himself as a tortured intellectual, who is alone in his special pain that exists because he is so special and profound and perhaps his real struggle is that the world is just not special enough to contain or satisfying.  This sort of naval gazing bullshit Hamlet saw a lot of popularity into the 90's in indie films and music and TV until it peaked with Garden State, where we get the ultimate in self absorbed passive aggressive assholes who can be a shit head to everyone because their pain is so profound. The pain that comes from not quite being thrilled with the world.  You know, vaguely bored and that's so miserable.  You can here it here in songs that very well capture Ben Folds' brand of clever human as people sing soft love songs that are dripping with an under current of passive aggressive anger.  There is Don't Change Your Plans, which is thoroughly passive aggressive and basically seems to make some unknown woman feel bad for wanting more in her life but you know, don't change those plans because he can't commit because he's so profound. There is Your Redneck past which is about changing things about yourself that are don't fit the special, sensitive intellectual parts of you, suppressing them to fit in with all the other people like you so you can seem special.  I guess this could sound like I am being critical but I am not, these are all fantastic.  Besides being good songs they paint a picture and art doesn't always have to paint something pleasant to look at.  In this case it really does show a specific type that I am sure still exists but I am mostly too old to run into anymore.  And who seems to have largely lost his place in pop culture save for a few Indie Movies about some adult stuck in perpetual adolescence and how they are struggling because they just won't grow the fuck up.  I don't know what people thought of this record at the time or now but I love it.  I still think it is a powerful work but like all of my favorite work of the band it is an excellent examination of just what my generation was like at the time.  

puts on narcolepsy and feels my soul... leave my body...