This man covers so much ground in one album. Some themes dealt with here: 90’s irony on Rockin The Suburbs a tongue-in-cheek look at young white rock bands; a heartfelt love ballad, The Luckiest; Suicide in Carrying Cathy; An ex-hippie growing up, The Ascent of Stan ("once you wanted revolution, now you’re the institution"); a gut-  wrenchingly beautiful song sung to his son about growing up, becoming a father, growing up more, and watching your son become a father, Still Fighting It. All that, and a song about mental disorder, Zak and Sara.

There is some language on a track or two, but it doesn’t distract from the story he spins. If you are a fan, you will love this album (quite possibly his best yet), and if you are not yet a fan, you will listen to Ben Folds at his best and be able to decide for yourself.

Do yourself a favor and at least download The Luckiest off 'iTunes' for 99c and put it on a mix tape for your wife.