Ben Folds’ “So There” is in many ways a typical release from the modern piano man. However, there are many ways that make “So There” a fresh new addition to Folds’ wide discography.

“So There” finds Folds collaborating with New York City’s Music, a classical sextet, on the first eight songs. Folds also brings in the Nashville Symphony to help him record a classical concerto with three movements.

“So There” is full of beautiful instrumentation, especially from yMusic, who usually provide engaging background instrumentals that compliment Folds’ compositions surprisingly well.

“Capable of Anything” puts the strings and winds in the spotlight in a frantic, yet somewhat subdued, moving line that rises and falls as the song progresses.  

“Long Way to Go” also features the sextet in a more supportive role, complimenting Folds’ melodies and piano lines well.

Folds is still the star of the show though, featuring the same witty wordplay and charming piano work that fans have come to appreciate and expect from his work.

“Not a Fan” opens with a heartbreaking piano solo and carries the same vibes throughout with yearning strings and a one-way conversation from Folds to an unknown person crooning lines like: “We can all go to dinner, I’ll be third wheel.”

The titular track “So There” gives Folds a chance to show off his chops on the keys in an impressive bridge, that has him and members of yMusic trading an ascending line back and forth.

Unfortunately, the first half seems noticeably stronger than the second with a noticeable low point being “Yes Man.” The song features some nice instrumentation, but it fails to leave a lasting impact that a listener will remember.

“F10-D-A” is more of an interlude/jam song than a traditional pop song. It is a fun idea, but it may have worked better as a live feature. Folds’ lyrics consist of nothing but the chord’s root notes being sang: “F to the A with a D,” with the closest resemblance of coherent lyrics being: “See (C) what it’s like to be (B).”

Luckily the bookends of the second half of the album salvage what might have been a pretty lackluster section.

“Phone in a Pool” is a fun single that opens the second half, while “I’m Not the Man” is a lovely closing track with a nice range of dynamics.

The last three tracks on the album are all part of Folds’ “Concerto for Piano and Orchestra” and consists of three movements.

Fortunately, all three movements are great and all feature different ideas that keep them from feeling like filler.

“Movement One” is the longest of the three, clocking in at 10 minutes, and is noticeably cinematic. Many styles are represented, including a jazzy breakdown that is one of the best moments on the record.

“Movement Two” has an eerie tone to it, but “Movement Three” has a frantic feeling that closes out the record nicely.

The pop songs on Folds’ album flourish and sway, but the added instrumentation from yMusic gives it all a fresh feeling. The concerto section is engaging, interesting and keeps the listening guessing.

“So There” is a successfully ambitious album from one of the great pop musicians of our time.

Recommended tracks: “So There,” “Capable of Anything” and “Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, Movement 1″