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Album Release

30th Anniversary project press release

BEN FOLDS CELEBRATES THREE DECADES OF BEN FOLDS FIVE

WITH SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY EDITION

CLASSIC DEBUT ALBUM FROM ICONIC ALT-ROCK TRIO NEWLY REMASTERED AND EXPANDED WITH PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED SHELVED FIRST ATTEMPT FEATURING EARLY, ALTERNATE VERSIONS AND RARE OUTTAKES

UNDERGROUND (SHELVED FIRST ATTEMPT)” PREMIERES TODAY – LISTEN

BEN FOLDS FIVE (30TH ANNIVERSARY) ARRIVES SEPTEMBER 4 VIA CAPITOL/UMe AT ALL DSPS AND ON 2CD AND 2LP VINYL

PRE-ORDERS/PRE-SAVES AVAILABLE NOW

Ben Folds is celebrating three decades in the spotlight with a very special anniversary edition of Ben Folds Five, the now-classic debut album from his iconic alt-rock trio. Ben Folds Five (30th Anniversary) – which, technically speaking, arrives 31 years after its original August 8, 1995 release – sees the groundbreaking original LP newly remastered and joined by the long-awaited, fan-requested un-vaulting of the band’s mythical shelved first attempt, only recently rediscovered on digital audio tape by Folds in his own personal archives and specially remastered for this release. (more…)

Ben Folds Five album anniversary reissue

Ben Folds Five album

If you’re one of the legion of old-guard fans who’ve been longing for Ben Folds Five rarities,  your lucky day is here.

Leading off was the release of the 7-inch version of Jackson Cannery this week on the streaming services. It’s a fairly raw version of the song, almost demo quality. The release was teased by an Instagram post over the weekend. And although we’ve passed the 30th anniversary of the 1994 release of the self-titled album on Caroline Records, Universal Music Group is re-releasing both the original album and an alternate version that was previously shelved on both CD and vinyl as a two-disc set. It’s scheduled to be out September 4th. The project includes a remaster of the original album with new liner notes and previously unseen photos along with the “shelved first attempt”. In addition, the guys will be signing a thousand copies which will be available on uDiscover Music. Preorders are open and you can reserve your copy now.

And another bonus: The earlier version of Underground will be out on the streaming services today. Hand me my nose ring!

Solo album and tour slated for 2023

What Matters Most

After an eight-year recording hiatus, Ben Folds has announced a new album project, What Matters Most, due out June 2. The first song from the album, Kristine from the 7th Grade, was teased last fall, and the first single Winslow Gardens being released this month.

The album will be accompanied by a tour of North American cities including dates previously announced, spanning from April to August. Dates announced so far are on our tour dates page.

(more…)

Ben Folds & yMusic vinyl drops November 25

folds_ymusic_liveAs part of a broad release by the independent record shops collectively known as Record Store Day, a new 10-inch vinyl by Ben Folds with yMusic becomes available in limited quantity (only two thousand pressed) on Friday, November 25 (the day after US Thanksgiving).

The EP, simply titled Ben Folds & yMusic In Concert 2015-2016, is on the New West label and assembles a handful of tracks of recent composition as well as one of Folds’ evergreens, and is described as

a live snapshot capturing electrifying “chamber rock” performances by Ben Folds and the immensely talented New York-based classical sextet ensemble yMusic.

For non-hipsters, vinyl records have grooves on both sides of the platter, unlike compact discs that younger baby-boomers and some Gen-Xers are more familiar with. Side A consists of Not a Fan, Erase Me and Capable of Anything. Side B features Phone in a Pool and Steven’s Last Night in Town. If you’re living in the digital world, December 9 is the date to watch for the downloadable version to appear on your favorite digital service provider.

“Suburbs” vinyl reissue set; solo tour later in 2016

suburbs_200A re-release on vinyl of Ben Folds’ 2001 debut solo album Rockin’ the Suburbs is due out in February, and a solo tour later in 2016 is in the early planning stages.

A listing by independent music retailer Bullmoose shows the album set for a February 26 release date for the two-disc set at a list price of $39.99. The pressing will be on 180-gram yellow vinyl and will include Hiro’s Song, the bonus track from the original vinyl release and the Japanese CD. It’s being released by ORG Music, which also re-released the Ben Folds Five album Whatever and Ever Amen.

Following the symphonic tours in the first few months of 2016, Ben has decided to do some solo shows that will showcase some of the hits from Suburbs as well as assorted newer material. The tour is still being put together, so keep an eye out for dates and locations. (more…)