Ben Folds Five is the debut studio album by American alternative rock band Ben Folds Five, released on August 8, 1995. A non-traditional rock album, it featured an innovative indie-pop sound, and excluded lead guitars completely. The album was released on the small independent label Passenger Records, owned by Caroline Records, a subsidiary of Virgin/EMI. Ben Folds Five received positive reviews, and spawned five singles. The record failed to chart, but sparked an intense bidding war eventually won by Sony Music. Several live versions of songs originally released on Ben Folds Five reappeared later as b-sides or on compilations. Reception Ben Folds Five received positive reviews from NME, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, and Entertainment Weekly. Michael Gallucci praised the album as "a potent, and extremely fun collection of postmodern rock ditties that comes off as a pleasantly workable combination of Tin Pan Alley showmanship, Todd Rundgren-style power pop, and myriad alt-rock sensibilities." Robert Christgau of The Village Voice selected "Boxing" as a "choice cut". Track listing Personnel Ben Folds – piano, vocals Darren Jessee – drums, vocals, percussion Robert Sledge – bass, vocals Ted Ehrhard – violin, viola on "Boxing" Chris Eubank – cello on "Boxing" Production Producer: Caleb Southern Mixing: Marc Becker Photography: Alexandria Searls Charts Weekly charts Certifications } References Ben Folds Five albums 1995 debut albums Albums produced by Caleb Southern Passenger Records albums