Ben Folds, 'From Above' -- Video Premiere

Posted on Sep 29th 2010 11:00AM by Benjy Eisen
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Eamonn McCabe

When Ben Folds began to work on material for his latest release, 'Lonely Avenue,' he didn't need to look very far for inspiration: he invited his friend, noted pop novelist Nick Hornby, to pen the lyrics. Folds then put those words to music, crafting one of the sharpest albums of his career.

But when it came time to put that music to moving images, well, Folds once again reached outside the fold, so to speak. With help from director and animator Julius Preite ('The Simpsons') and designer Justin Owens, the video treatment for 'From Above' came about in a very, shall we say, animated way.

"Julius and Justin interpretive danced the storyboard for this video for me in a hotel room and it gave me chills," Folds tells Spinner. "The adjacent room then complained to the front desk."

No word on whether or not those perturbed guests got their money back or received free vouchers to the continental breakfast, but whatever the cost, it was worth it -- this video is priceless. As Folds observes, it "enhances the lyric and gives the song another dimension." In other words, it's all you could ask for from a music video. Check it out below.

Listen to 'Lonely Avenue'

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