I'm a sucker for anything Ben Folds.

In high school, I worshipped Ben Folds Five.

I bought every album and knew the words to all the songs (except "Brick;" I hate that one). Searching for bootlegs on the Internet introduced me to the wonderful world of illegal downloading.

I've seen the band in concert three times.

The last time I saw them play, I forced my friends to loiter with me near the entrance of the Theatre of Living Arts in Philly for 45 minutes after the show.

Sure enough, the band came out to meet its most loyal fans. I have a signed ticket stub and a picture with Folds to prove that I am indeed one of those.

So if you have a similar fetish for the music of Folds or either of the remaining two-thirds of this Ben parade (Kweller and Lee), then you'll probably want to check out their new EP, The Bens, not just for purposes of nostalgia but for the fact that it sounds like it was a pleasure to make.

"Just Pretend" is an easygoing country number that plays musical chairs with the lead vocal part. "Xfire" sounds like Elvis Costello joining forces with Gary Numan, complete with "Cars" synth.

"Stop!" is a straight-ahead rocker that actually sounds a little bit like Rock N Roll Ryan Adams, and "Bruised" is a lovely piano ballad sung by my man Folds.

Wrap it all up in a warm blanket of harmonies, and there you have it, four songs recorded in four days that should satisfy all three camps of Ben fans for being a varied and easy listen.

But of course, we all know which Ben is best.

Get it at www.attackedbyplastic.com.

-- Reviewed by David Tatasciore