Top tracks — play these first
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Brick — The rendition of 'Brick' captures the emotional weight of the original while demonstrating vocal harmonies that enhance its poignant narrative.
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The Luckiest — This track exemplifies the heartfelt simplicity of Folds' songwriting, allowing the a cappella arrangement to evoke deep emotion and connection.
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Not the Same Start here — In this performance, the intricate vocal layering showcases how a cappella can transform the dynamic shifts present in the original song.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album creatively showcases collegiate talent through varied a cappella interpretations, though it may not have broad cultural reach.
What we noticed
- The album maintains a consistent mid-tempo feel across most tracks, with only a few moments of tempo variation.
- Vocal harmonies are layered intricately, often featuring call-and-response sections that highlight the collaborative nature of collegiate a cappella.
- Several tracks incorporate vocal percussion to mimic instrumental backing, enhancing the rhythmic drive of the arrangements.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- celebratory vocal harmonies throughout
- dynamic progression with peaks
- engaging sing-along opportunities
- for group listening
- uplifting moments of nostalgia
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instrumental over vocals
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Features a cappella renditions, showcasing a unique concept distinct from his usual style.
- Themes
- collegiate creativity· harmonious nostalgia· a cappella innovation
- Career context
- By the time 'Ben Folds Presents: University A Cappella!' was released in 2009, Ben Folds had established himself as a prominent figure in pop music, transitioning from his early solo career after the breakup of Ben Folds Five. This album served as a unique collaboration with university a cappella groups, following his previous release ‘Way to Normal’ in 2008, which highlighted his willingness to experiment with different musical formats and promote emerging artists.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Rufus Wainwright· Regina Spektor· Andrew McMahon
Tracklist
- 1 Not the Same Start here 4:10
- 2 Jesusland 4:19
- 3 Brick 4:01
- 4 You Don’t Know Me 3:07
- 5 Still Fighting It 4:31
- 6 Boxing 4:22
- 7 Selfless, Cold and Composed 6:25
- 8 Magic 5:08
- 9 Landed 4:10
- 10 Time 4:02
- 11 Effington 3:27
- 12 Evaporated 5:26
- 13 Fred Jones, Part 2 3:42
- 14 Army 3:11
- 15 Fair 4:24
- 16 The Luckiest 4:49
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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