Ben Folds

Their second album of cerebral pop (i.e. pop with no guitars) was a huge success based on the effective, solemn "Brick." A strong sense of hooks and a wry way with lyrics is what sets Ben Folds and company ahead of the pack. Even if you've already heard Joe Jackson, this is good stuff.

Crude piano portraits of general apathy and major boredom with a few feelings poking through ("Brick," "Song for the Dumped") (Grade - *)