Your average college student more than likely has one of Ben Folds’ up-beat songs somewhere in their Itunes collection, and YouTube features countless college a cappella groups covering his songs. So it’s no wonder that for Folds’ newest release, Ben Folds Presents: University A Cappella!, he enlisted help from some of the country’s most talented collegiate a cappella groups.

University A Cappella! is a 16 song greatest-hits album that takes you through perfectly arranged (beat-boxing and all) songs such as “Jeasusland,” “Landed,” “The Luckiest” and “Not The Same.” The University of Chicago’s Voices In Your Head does its own rendition of “Magic” and outshines Folds’ version with their intricate and fresh arrangement.

 The album’s biggest highlight comes in the re-worked version of “Effington,” originally off of Folds’ 2008 release Way To Normal. One of two songs Folds recorded featuring solely his voice, the take is a pure joy filled with foot-tapping fun that begs to be replayed over and over again. Even the tormented lyrics could be mistaken for the most joyful words ever spoken.

Folds’ songs seem to have been perfectly written for a cappella covers, which is impressive because each song can fit into a different style. From the Blues and R&B feel of “Brick,” done by Ohio University’s Leading Tones to the angsty rendition of “You Don’t Know Me” done by University of Georgia’s Someone Else’s Money.

If there was any question whether Folds thinks outside the box, Ben Folds Presents: University A Capella!, proves that he is ever expanding his artistic limits while appreciating those of others, in this case: college students. 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Catch Ben Folds August 7-9 at Lollapalooza in Chicago’s Grant Park! For tickets, click here.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

“Magic” (A Cappella) by Voices In Your Head from UChicago