Flighty strings, featuring a markedly effective cello and flute counter the staccato piano of Ben Folds on “Capable Of Anything,” the jumpy little opener of the piano player/vocalist/songwriter’s new So There. The “Not A Fan” love song follows featuring a sweet tentative piano, those strings again and Fold’s oddly sweet vocal. “Long Way To Go” borrows from Brian Wilson (in fact there are many places here that Folds reminds me of Wilson in his piano-fueled compositions, reliance on strings and the way he layers harmonies) with spiking horns and plodding piano and well placed backing vocals.

The Beach Boys The Smile Sessions (Capitol) The most famous, unreleased album in rock history, The Beach Boys’ Smile, has finally been released […]

Brian Wilson: Songwriter 1962-1969 (Sexy Intellectual) The first time one hears a Beach Boys song the density of sound is usually overshadowed […]