NEW YORK (By
Sarah Joyce/ Epic Records) -
Ben Folds is a peerless phenomenon with today's quickest songwriting wit, and it shows in his contributions to the upcoming DreamWorks film, Over the Hedge. Contributing three original new songs such as the ballad "Still," as well as a rewrite of his appropriately titled hit, "Rockin' the Suburbs," with special guest vocals by cast member and friend,
William Shatner, and a cover of the Clash's "Lost in the Supermarket,"
Ben Folds brings his signature humanism to the film in a way no other artist can. It's Ben's inventive tunes and lyrical humility that make these new and reworked tracks some of his most exciting to date.
The soundtrack to this smart, animated comedy will be released on May 16th through Epic Records. In the form of both score and songs, this musical marriage helps contribute to the storytelling of the film about how we live from the point of view of the animals, told by the voices of today's most irreverent and loved comic performers; Wanda Sykes, William Shatner, Steve Carrell, Gary Shandling, among many others.
Ben Folds teamed up with composer Rupert Gregson-Williams who wrote the score and Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer who served as the executive music producer for the film. Gregson-Williams comments on Ben's involvement:
"I could have written this sweet orchestral score for the movie, but with Ben's sound, we could do something different, something a bit more rock 'n' roll. We had never even met each other before this, but when he came in to work, there was no ego with him. He just loves music, so it was great fun working with him."
Ben Folds will continue to demonstrate his musical progression, this summer he will once again join the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. As a testament to the loyalty for his fans he will layer in the complexity of orchestrated stings to his collection of live EPs, which will be released later this year along with a new studio album in 2007.
Ben Folds' contributions on the Over The Hedge soundtrack and to the music community confirms he is one of the most prolific alternative artists of his time.
