Top tracks — play these first
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Capable of Anything Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its catchy hooks and reflective lyrics about self-determination and possibility, encapsulating the overarching themes present throughout the project.
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Phone in a Pool — This song features witty lyricism and an infectious melody, illustrating Folds' knack for blending humor with poignant observations about modern life and relationships.
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Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, Movement 1 — The first movement of this ambitious concerto highlights Folds' classical training, showcasing his ability to weave intricate piano motifs with orchestral depth, marking a significant departure from traditional pop structures.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album effectively merges pop and classical elements, showcasing strong songwriting and orchestration.
What we noticed
- Each of the orchestral movements is structured in a classical format, with distinct sections that contrast with the preceding pop songs.
- The album opens with an upbeat track and gradually transitions to more introspective themes, culminating in the classical pieces that close it.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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
- wave-like pacing with climaxes
- introspective moments of reflection
- orchestral grandeur meets wit
- engaging narrative through movement
Maybe skip if you
- desire for instant gratification
- preference for standalone singles
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Showcases a blend of pop and classical, marking an ambitious artistic statement.
- Themes
- modern relationship dynamics· self-determination journey· orchestral storytelling
- Career context
- Released in 2015, So There marks Ben Folds' first studio album since his collaboration with the Five in 2012. It follows a period of artistic exploration, including his foray into orchestral compositions, which is evident in the three-part concerto featured on this album. This release also illustrates his continued evolution as a solo artist and songwriter.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Rufus Wainwright· Regina Spektor· Andrew McMahon
Tracklist
- 1 Capable of Anything Start here 3:50
- 2 Not a Fan 3:34
- 3 So There 4:21
- 4 Long Way to Go 4:43
- 5 Phone in a Pool 4:04
- 6 Yes Man 3:59
- 7 F10-D-A 1:59
- 8 I'm Not the Man 4:42
- 9 Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, Movement 1 10:29
- 10 Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, Movement 2 5:45
- 11 Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, Movement 3 4:34
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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