Okay, show of hands: Who here enjoyed Ben Folds somber, introspective pop songwriting following his stint with the Ben Folds Five? Okay, now who liked Ben Folds’ music with a dorky sense of humor?

According to this press release, Ben Folds may be splittign the middle with his upcoming album, Way To Normal.

From Big Hassle:

Epic Records is proud to announce the release of the much-anticipated new album from Ben Folds, WAY TO NORMAL, on September 30, 2008. The album, Folds’ third as a solo artist since the break up of the Ben Folds Five in 2000, was mostly recorded at his studio in Nashville and produced by Dennis Herring (Elvis Costello, Modest Mouse, The Hives). Featuring Folds on vocals and piano, Way to Normal also features long-time bassist Jared Reynolds and drummer Sam Smith as well as a guest vocal from indie pop heroine Regina Spektor on the album’s first single, “You Don’t Know Me.”

Way to Normal is an exuberant, raucous, and sometimes profane mix of sure-fire crowd-pleasers (”Hiroshima,” “Bitch Went Nuts,” and the frenetically fuzzed-out “Dr. Yang”), cheerful snark-fests (”The Frown Song,” “Brainwascht”), and thoughtful, moving ballads (”Cologne,” “Kylie From Connecticut”) that Folds wrote at the end of 2007 following the finalization of a two-year divorce.

But it should not be assumed that Way to Normal is Folds’ version of Marvin Gaye’s Here My Dear or Bob Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks (though Folds says that in the early stages of recording he came close to calling the album “Blood on the Keyboard”).

“The songs are not topical,” Folds says. “I was not interested in making a record about the D-word. I got all that stuff out of my system on the last record [2005's pensive Songs for Silverman], which was deliberately stoic. This new album is really about me being free, which is why it feels cathartic and expressive. It’s about me coming back to being myself.” (Hence the title.) “I came out of the courthouse, kissed the ground, and walked straight into the studio. I felt like a bottle of champagne that had been shaken for 18 months and popped open in the studio. That’s why this record has so much energy.”
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Atlanta emo-pop titans Cartel and Wind-Up Records, home to such luminaries as Creed, Evanescence,  and Alter Bridge, have come to terms on a deal encompassing the band’s recordings, merch and  “artist development”:

New York — Wind-up Entertainment and the rock band Cartel have entered in to a number of agreements.  The band’s future recordings will be released by Wind-up Records.  Additionally, the sale of all Cartel merchandise at on-line, retail, and touring points of sale will be handled by Wind-up Entertainment’s Pronto Merch.  Lastly, Cartel has entered in to an agreement with Wind-up Artist Development Corporation, Inc.

The Atlanta-based quintet, featuring Will Pugh (Vocals / Guitar), Joseph Pepper (Guitar), Nic Hudson (Guitar), Jeff Lett (Bass) and Kevin Sanders (Drums), self-released their first EP titled RANSOM in March, 2004.  A deal with the Militia Group followed, and the CHROMA album was issued in 2005.  Epic Records re-released the title in the summer of 2006, delivering a significant groundswell.   The band’s self-titled follow-up CARTEL followed in 2007.  The band parted ways with the major label, opening the door for this alliance with Wind-up Entertainment.

Wind-up Entertainment President Ed Vetri shared, “In the continuing evolution of the music industry, Wind-up has been and continues to be a leader in developing a business model that forms true artist partnerships and provides for long term development.  We believe that bands like Cartel, and deals like this, are the future of this business.  We are excited to begin working with a group that has proven hard work, great songwriting, and a commitment to touring provides the basis for a long term career. We are excited to be in business with Cartel, and look forward to building on their already sizeable fan base.”

Cartel front man Will Pugh enthusiastically commented, “We are very excited to announce that we have signed with Wind-up Records. The overwhelmingly positive familial atmosphere of the label has us looking forward to what is certain to be a lasting and successful relationship. We’re extremely eager to begin this new chapter in the life of Cartel.  All five of us sincerely appreciate and thank our fans for their continuous heartfelt support throughout the lifetime of the band, especially over the last nine months or so.  With a new label home firmly secured and fresh winds filling our sails we foresee bigger and better opportunities for us to continue to grow and thrive as a band, while building off the same foundational elements that we have always embraced: hard work, endless touring, good vibes and fantastic fan-friendly relations.”

Cartel is currently working on the repertoire for their third album, and will enter the studio in the coming months.  The release is planned for early 2009.  Cartel will be co-headlining The Crocs Next Step Campus Tour August 29 through September 26 with Yung Joc (dates subject to change).

Well, there’s the shark, might as well jump it. Oh wait…they already did.