The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner currently stands as the #1 album on my list. It holds position one in my CD changer and is likely not to be moving for quite some time. I have owned this one ever since it was released and loved it from day one. I have found this album very easy to replay over and over without getting tired of it. A couple of tracks are worth skipping, after hearing them at least once...in that regard, this album falls behind Whatever and Ever, Amen.

This album has a wide variety of songs...from the fast-paced aggressive attitude of Army to the slow, solemn tune, Magic. Though easily seen as bitter, the music written and performed by Ben Folds Five is always full of emotion and feeling. In fact numerous songs on this album could make nearly anyone ball like a baby as you listen to the emotion in Ben's voice and listen to the thought-provoking words.

Narcolepsy, Track 1, is by far not the best one on the album. The opening notes to this song always bring memories, however, of the times when I first got this album and listened to it non-stop. Though not the best, this song is still fair and worth listening to. It is interesting how the album begins and ends with songs regarding sleep. This song is, as the title states, about Narcolepsy.

I should warn you
I go to sleep
You won't know when
I go to sleep

It ends with a slightly annoying repetition of "I'm not tired," which, in a way, could represent the annoying repetition of falling asleep for someone who has Narcolepsy.


Don't Change Your Plans is, as I "understand" it, a song about leaving someone you love so you can stay where you feel you belong. This is a great song full of emotion that makes you reflect on life and think about whether or not you are where you want to be.

Don't change your plans for me
I won't move to LA
The leaves are falling back east
That's where I'm going to stay


Mess is a powerful song about living in a mess created by numerous screwed-up opportunities, and vowing to live better. The music to this song is unbelievable and always fun to listen to.

All alone as I've learned to be
In this mess I have made


Magic. Enough said. This song, written by Darren Jessee, is a moving ballad about the passing of a loved one whose time is due. I listen to this album as I type so the songs are fresh in my mind, and I can feel the tears well up throughout this song. I must say that it is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. You MUST hear this one.

You're the Magic
that holds the sky up from the ground
You're the breath
that blows these cool wind 'round
Trading places with an angel now...

Saw you last night
Dance by the light of the moon
Stars in your eyes
Free from the life that you knew


Hospital Song is a short tune regarding an unfortunate patient in a hospital who got bad news they cannot believe. It begins with a tiny verse followed by a long instrumental.


Army is an upbeat song about things done when he was young instead of joining the army. The energy in this song is phenomenal and makes me turn up the volume every time. The irony in this song is quite interesting. Would he have been better off if he had joined the army?

3 sad semesters
It was only 15 grand
Spent in bed
I thought about the army
I dropped out and joined a band instead


Your Redneck Past, another upbeat tune, regarding the embarrassment of having a redneck past and trying to hide it from those you know now. This is an interesting song to listen to if you come from a small redneck town as I do. This one is alright, but can easily be skipped.


Your Most Valuable Possession is actually an answering machine message that was left for Ben Folds. I have heard that is his father, but I am unsure [it's probably in the liner notes, and I just haven't read it yet]. It is merely a long, random rambling regarding muscle mass in space. It is definitely humorous to listen to at least once, though I have heard it enough that I usually skip to the next song.


Regrets is an enjoyable tune reflecting on thinking about all the things done stupidly throughout life...regrets. This song has a slightly different sound with Ben Folds singing almost continuously throughout. It ends with prominent drums and a group of "ahhhh's".

...and all the great ideas I'd had
and how we just made fun
of those who had the guts to try and fail
and then I ended up in jail


Jane is a wonderful song. I enjoy listening to this one because the music itself sounds great. The song is about advising Jane to live her life as she want and to stop impressing others before making herself happy.

Don't try to see yourself
the way that others do
It's no use


Lullabye, the final track, is a little too upbeat to be a lullabye, but it is still a beautiful song. This song was the perfect choice for closing up the album. I believe it is a memory of having a lullabye sung to him as a child on an airplane [by James Earl Jones?...listen to it and you'll understand where I'm coming from here].

...and the pilot, he gave me a blanket
and the tall, dark man
sang to me in deep, rich tones
"good night, good night, sweet baby,"
"The world has more for you"
"Than it seems, good night, good night"
"Let the moonlight take the lid off your dreams."

It is too bad that the band split up, but they certainly ended with a wonderful album. If you don't have this, you must get it, or at least hear it if you don't think you would like it. It is wonderful and brilliant music. I look forward to Ben Fold's solo album coming out this summer/fall.

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Driving