Okay, this time it's for real. Back in 2008, piano man Ben Folds announced that he would be working on a collaborative album with High Fidelity author Nick Hornby. At the time, he claimed, "[We will] write and record it in about three days." Then, in March of this year, Folds said the album was done and was tentatively titled Picture Window. Now, we finally have some confirmed details about the album, which has the new title of Lonely Avenue and is due out on September 28 via Nonesuch.
According to the label's website, the album was composed over email, with Hornby sending lyrics to Folds and the songwriter then setting those words to music. The resulting 11 songs "touch on subject matter ranging from a mother with a child in the hospital over New Years Eve to the work of Doc Pomus, lyricist of countless '50s and '60s pop hits."
The album features string arrangements by Grammy winner Paul Buckmaster, who has previously worked with David Bowie, the Rolling Stones, Miles Davis, Elton John and Leonard Cohen.
Folds recorded the album specifically for vinyl, using two-inch tape. If you don't have a record player, it will also be available on CD, digitally and in a special edition that comes with four short stories by Hornby. You can see the tracklist below and the album cover above.
Lonely Avenue:
1. "Working Day"
2. "Picture Window"
3. "Levi Johnston's Blues"
4. "Doc Pomus"
5. "Your Dogs"
6. "Practical Amanda"
7. "Claire's Ninth"
8. "Password"
9. "From Above"
10. "Saskia Hamilton"
11. "Belinda"
According to the label's website, the album was composed over email, with Hornby sending lyrics to Folds and the songwriter then setting those words to music. The resulting 11 songs "touch on subject matter ranging from a mother with a child in the hospital over New Years Eve to the work of Doc Pomus, lyricist of countless '50s and '60s pop hits."
The album features string arrangements by Grammy winner Paul Buckmaster, who has previously worked with David Bowie, the Rolling Stones, Miles Davis, Elton John and Leonard Cohen.
Folds recorded the album specifically for vinyl, using two-inch tape. If you don't have a record player, it will also be available on CD, digitally and in a special edition that comes with four short stories by Hornby. You can see the tracklist below and the album cover above.
Lonely Avenue:
1. "Working Day"
2. "Picture Window"
3. "Levi Johnston's Blues"
4. "Doc Pomus"
5. "Your Dogs"
6. "Practical Amanda"
7. "Claire's Ninth"
8. "Password"
9. "From Above"
10. "Saskia Hamilton"
11. "Belinda"