On March 18, 1997, “550” label released “Whatever and Ever Amen”, the second Ben Folds Five studio album. It was recorded September – October 1996, at “Chapel Hill” in North Carolina, and was produced by Caleb Southern and Ben Folds.

 Personnel:

• Ben Folds – lead vocals, piano, electric piano, melodica
• Robert Sledge – bass guitar, double bass, backing vocals
• Darren Jessee – drums, percussion, backing vocals
• Caleb Southern – Hammond organ
• Norwood Cheek – synthesizer space sound
• Frank London – trumpet
• Matt Darriau – clarinet
• Alicia Svigals – violin
• John Catchings – cello
• John Mark Painter – string arrangements
• Caleb Southern – engineer
• Andy Wallace – mixing
• Steve Sisco – mixing assistant
• Howie Weinberg – mastering
• Chris Stamey – Pro-Tools
• Leigh Smiler – design
• The Klezmatics – special contributor

Track listing:

All tracks by Ben Folds, except where noted.

1. One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces
2. Fair
3. Brick – Ben Folds, Darren Jesse
4. Song for the Dumped – Ben Folds, Darren Jesse
5. Selfless, Cold, and Composed
6. Kate – Ben Folds, Darren Jesse, Anna Goodman
7. Smoke – Ben Folds, Anna Goodman
8. Cigarette
9. Steven’s Last Night in Town
10. Battle of Who Could Care Less
11. Missing the War
12. Evaporated