Ben Folds - Rise of Satan Casey Dorrell

I finally picked up a copy of the "first" Ben Folds without the five, Rocking the Suburbs while in Halifax a week ago. Why the quotations, Casey? Good question. See, the CD doesn't really deviate from the path of the Ben Folds Five CDs. Like Reinhold Messner, it's mostly serious with the redundant "look at me! I'm in a rock band but I play piano!" title track. Yeah, yeah, you swear and you play piano - hardcore ironic. The main difference on this CD from the last "Five" CD is the tempo - it's almost all upbeat. Anyhow, back to the song. So the song isn't actually called the rise of satan which is a bit disapointing. As I was sitting in the Halifax hotel and reading the CD booklet, I was drawn to the satan song. Folds is best at narrative songs (think "brick") so I thought a song about satan's return could be great but, alas, the song is actually called "The Rise of Stan". It ends up being one of his best songs despite the absense of el diablo. It actually has a pretty simple piano structure, but it sounds amazing. The lyrics, which are about a hippy-turned-taxman are pretty banal upon reflection, but are somehow relatable and moving. If I had high-speed and wasn't as lazy - I'd link an mp3 - that will come at some point. Update: Ahem... "Ascent of Stan" - I guess I was carried away on the B-movie, glam-rock image of rise of SATAN! - that and cough medicin and lack of sleep. Thanks Mel.