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Ben Folds Sharpens Legacy Through "Philosophy (Shelved First Attempt)"

  • Writer: Charles Luberisse
    Charles Luberisse
  • 1 day ago
  • 1 min read

Written By: Brainy

Ben Folds is unpacking the past of what was left behind on Philosophy (Shelved First Attempt). Pulled from the upcoming Ben Folds Five (30th Anniversary), the track carries a rougher, less filtered edge compared to the original version fans know. There’s a clear difference in tone and that contrast is exactly what makes it interesting. Produced during the band’s first attempt at the record with Dave “Stiff” Johnson, it shows a group still figuring out how far they could push their sound. You can hear the tension between intention and identity, Piano-driven but unpredictable while sitting outside the typical alt-rock framework of its time. Ben Folds says:

Overall, it’s good! It’s NOT the kind of record you’d hear produced these days… it’s pretty rough and tumble, mostly in a good way… it’s emphatically unique… I’m hearing a record that really just puts it out there.

The reissue doesn’t just remaster the original album, it pairs it with the long-shelved first attempt, including alternate takes, early versions, and outtakes which never made the cut. It’s a full-circle look at how Ben Folds Five shaped their identity before the industry caught up to them. The project lands September 4 across digital platforms, alongside 2CD and 2LP vinyl editions, including limited signed pressings for collectors. Beyond the release itself, the original trio, Ben Folds, Robert Sledge, and Darren Jessee, are set to reunite on stage for the first time in over a decade. Stream what the record could have been and follow Ben Folds on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and YOUTUBE.


 
 
 

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