While some might consider the "slipper" title to be an insult, I am a person who thrives on comfort and familiarity.  My ideal relationship is one where you can sit down at the end of a long day and just feel at home, no matter where you are or what happened that day.  This is the ear's equivalent of "comfort food."  My audio comfort food is Ben Folds. 

At first, I chalked it up to the fact that he plays piano.  However, when I sat down one evening and thought about it (it was more like laid down -- these are the type of thoughts that keep me up at night), I really don't think it's just the piano aspect.  I mean, its nice and all.  I can't play piano, even after 8 years of lessons.  I appreciate anyone who can.  However, its more than that. 

I've decided, after much deliberation (and sleepless nights), that its a mixture of things.  Upon first listen, what stands out is Ben's voice.  If you have heard more that just the song "Brick" when it came out (what seems like) billions of years ago, then you will be able to recognize Ben's voice no matter what.  Like a child hearing it's mother's voice in the middle of a crowd, you should be able to pick out Ben's voice in the middle of a talkative coffee shop. 

The other thing that has really drawn me to Benny boy (from the songs that I have heard) is the amazingly empathetic lyrics.  Since I have only fully heard "Rockin' The Suburbs", I shall use that to cite my theories and thoughts.  In "Suburbs", no matter what he is singing about it, you can tell he relates about it and draws you as the listener into empathetic feelings as well.  In the song "The Ascent of Stan", Ben Folds states (about Stan the ex-hippie), "You have become all of the things you've always run away from...How's it feel to be the man? It's no fun to be the man..."  Even when he is singing humorously, you chuckle along knowingly at the slightly tongue-in-cheek nature of his material.  In the title track of "Rockin' The Suburbs," Ben starts off singing, " Let me tell y'all what it's like, Being male, middle-class and white. It's a bitch, if you don't believe, listen up to my new CD."  Now, while we may blanch at the lyrics for this suburbian anthem, we all know someone who thinks this way.  In fact, we ourselves may have thought about the amazingly destitute lives of middle class suburbianites. 

Overall, I just think that Ben is amazing.  If you haven't heard any more than the song "Brick" (and I know some people that haven't), then go out right now and buy "Rockin' The Suburbs".  While it's not his first or most recent album, its a great 'beginner's tutorial'.  Have fun and have cocoa.