Expanding on the hook-laden songcraft of their eponymous debut,
the Ben Folds Five turn in another glitzy array of
Todd Rundgren-esque, piano-driven pop on their second album,
Whatever and Ever Amen. Though it isn't as consistently tuneful and clever as their first record,
Whatever and Ever Amen has a snazzy sense of popcraft -- the hooks of "The Battle of Who Could Care Less," "Brick," and "Fair" sink in nearly as effortlessly as
Billy Joel,
Elton John, or
Joe Jackson -- which makes the record enjoyable ear candy. Occasionally,
Folds' smug humor -- whether it's the alternative rock skewering of "The Battle" or the borderline misogynist humor of "Song for the Dumped" -- can undercut his melodic gifts, but
Whatever and Ever Amen is confirmation that the showy pop pleasures of his first record were no fluke. ~ Thom Owens