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Ben Folds Five - In Between Days An online EP available through iTunes and the Sony Music store, In Between Days is the first of several EPs Ben plans on releasing prior to his next album. The idea being that he can give fans access to songs that are not likely to end up on an album and also to hear works in progress. Ben says that one of the things that appeals to him most about it is that he can write and record a song and have it online the same day, shortening the gap between creation and appreciation by a tremendous amount.In Between Days starts off with a very upbeat rendition of Cure's "In Between Days". It's really surprising how much tempo and instrumentation can alter the mood of a song, as in Ben's hands it takes on a whole new character, hopeful and bright. Ben has always written great breakup songs, the most well known being "Song for the Dumped". "Give Judy My Notice" is a more mellow one, with his signature catchy melody and solemn resignation.

Ben crafts brilliant pop songs and ballads, but he puts his own little twist on them. It's hard to imagine Bernie Taupin or Billy Joel writing a breakup song with the line 'I won't be your bitch anymore'. "Protections" and "Dog" are examples of tracks that will appeal to serious fans but not to the casual listener. Odd time signatures, and quirky (even by his standards) lyrics probably wouldn't play on Clear Channel. Which is not to say they are bad songs, quite the opposite in fact, just that they require you to pay a little more attention.

Rounding out the EP is a track called "Wandering", a collaboration with Darren Jessee. Ben notes that it's "kinda like brick in that he wrote the chorus (the part people like to sing 'she's a brick' ... all this wandering etc) and i wrote the rest (the part that leads up to the part people like to sing). he passed me the chorus a few years ago. i tried to do it justice..." He certainly did it justice. It's one of the better piano ballads I've ever heard.