Ben Folds Five

Ben Folds Five is a piano-driven alternative rock band formed in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in 1993. Despite the name, the group is a trio, consisting of Ben Folds on piano and vocals, Darren Jessee on drums, and Robert Sledge on bass. They're best known for blending sharp, often witty lyrics with a distinctive sound that leaned heavily on piano in an era dominated by guitar-heavy rock. Their breakout album, Whatever and Ever Amen (1997), spawned the hit single "Brick," a poignant ballad that became a surprise success on both alternative and mainstream charts.

The band released several albums during their original run, including the critically acclaimed The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner in 1999, before breaking up in 2000. They reunited in the early 2010s and released The Sound of the Life of the Mind in 2012. Known for their energetic live shows and genre-blending style, Ben Folds Five left a lasting impact on the landscape of 1990s alt-rock, with Ben Folds continuing a successful solo career after the band's initial breakup.

Genres

Indie Rock

Alternative Rock

Pop Rock

Soft Rock

Progressive Rock

Power Pop

Post-grunge

Adult Alternative

Baroque Pop

Piano Rock

Latest Release

Live

Ben Folds Five

Album - 15 Tracks - Released June 3, 2013