Ben Folds

Having just released his new album, Songs for Silverman, Ben Folds turned up for what the record business calls an "in store" at the Tower Records located on Broadway at 66th Street, near Lincoln Center in New York City on April 26, 2005. There, he and his band gave a concert, three songs from which have been excerpted for this 15-minute EP, sold exclusively (where else?) at the same record store, for a reasonable $3.99. All the songs come from the new album, naturally, and they are well-performed examples of Folds' melodic tunes with snotty lyrics. There's no reason for anyone except completists, and those who stood in line at the store, to pick this specialty item up, but it's a nice little summary of what the artist is like. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide