User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Rockin' The Suburbs Image
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 49 Ratings

  • Summary: Singer-songwriter Ben Folds has ditched the other two members of his band (Ben Folds Five) for this 12-track solo album, on which he plays every instrument himself.

Top Track

The Luckiest
I don't get many things right the first time In fact, I am told that a lot Now I know all the wrong turns The stumbles and falls brought me here And... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 15
  2. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. But for all of its snickers, ''Suburbs'' is serious business -- a pop fantasia that seals Folds' rep as the Cole Porter of underclass underdogs.
  2. As good a record as any he's made, possibly his best.
  3. He still tinkles the ivories with dazzling skill and his scything comments on breaking-up and the emotionally inept are all too easy to identify with, yet the most enamouring thing is that he manages to do this all without being zany or patronising.
  4. Spin
    70
    In many ways, this is his 'Nylon Curtain.' [Sep 2001, p.160]
  5. Mojo
    70
    Folds' songwriting continues to impress. [Oct 2001, p.130]
  6. Shredding Paper
    70
    That dirty "sellout" feeling does go away with time, as the subtle touches and clever songwriting ease some of Folds' production changes. [#11]
  7. Although the album is far from a failure, it rarely reaches the peak of its creator’s potential.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. garycalkins
    Sep 21, 2001
    10
    Intelligent pop/rock in an unintelligent era....stupid people will hate it.....
  2. LoganE.
    Sep 18, 2001
    10
    59? This CD has gotten a 59 as of yet? This is unbelievable to me. Why can people stop bieng critics long enough to see the beauty of this 59? This CD has gotten a 59 as of yet? This is unbelievable to me. Why can people stop bieng critics long enough to see the beauty of this CD. Ben Folds is a talented musician first off, a brilliant song writer secondly. Im mainly a fan of Underground Hip Hop but this stuff is amazing to me, i cant stop listening. Annie waits, not the same, and ascent of stan alone are worth the 13 bucks. Please dont sleep, this is a great CD. Expand
  3. Dec 14, 2019
    10
    The greatest album I’ve ever listened to. That’s all I have to say about this incredible album
  4. SpencerB.
    Oct 24, 2001
    10
    One of the absolute best albums of the year, even track a melodic single-in-waiting. Classic stuff.
  5. DavidF
    Apr 14, 2006
    10
    Amazing, simply amazing album
  6. ginaf
    Dec 31, 2006
    10
    I can't believe I waited so long to buy it.
  7. LeifS
    Jan 14, 2007
    7
    Although this album was good, I felt it wasn't to the best of Ben Fold's potential.

See all 24 User Reviews