{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2016}} {{Use Australian English|date=November 2016}} {{Infobox album | name = The Bens | type = ep | artist = [[The Bens]] | cover = The Bens - The Bens (EP).jpg | alt = | released = March 14, 2003 (tour only)<br>January 6, 2004 (digital)<br>February 16, 2004 (retail) | recorded = 2003 | venue = Nashville | studio = | genre = [[Rock music|Rock]] | length = {{Duration|m=14|s=48}} | label = [[EMI]]/[[Bertelsmann Music Group|BMG]] | producer = [[Ben Folds]], [[Ben Kweller]], [[Ben Lee]] | prev_title = | prev_year = | next_title = | next_year = }}
'''''The Bens''''' ([[Extended play|EP]]) is the only release by the trio, [[The Bens]], consisting of [[Ben Folds]], [[Ben Kweller]] and [[Ben Lee]], for the Bens Rock Over Australia tour from 14 to 28 March 2003.<ref name="Wilson"/><ref name="Lee"/> It had been recorded in Nashville with the three members producing.<ref name="Lee"/> The 3,500 original pressings were only available at their early concerts but quickly sold out. Months later it was re-released on Internet stores. The lead track, "Just Pretend", was listed at number 52 in the [[Triple J Hottest 100, 2003]], a radio listeners' poll.<ref name="Triple J List"/>
== Reception ==
{{Album ratings | rev1 = [[Allmusic]] | rev1Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="Wilson"/> }}
Jasper "Jaz" Lee of Oz Music Project opined that ''The Bens''{{'}} "songs have an inkling of different styles, each with a particular leaning... [they] are three great artists, each of different levels of maturity in their fields, and differing in the genre of their pursuits. Yet, apart from their mutual first names there seems to be a good connection between them that was witnessed both on stage and on this EP."<ref name="Lee"/> [[AllMusic]]'s MacKenzie Wilson rated the EP at three-out-of-five stars and felt that "This little four-track gem is strictly for die-hard followers. Those who enjoy Kweller and Lee as artists should also enjoy the quirky pop selection. Folds is somewhat of a father figure to the younger Bens, and together their harmonies are matchless. Each comprises a dash of humor and innocence."<ref name="Wilson"/>
==Track listing==
All tracks were written and produced by The Bens: [[Ben Folds]], [[Ben Kweller]] and [[Ben Lee]]. #"Just Pretend" – 3:07 #"Xfire" – 4:00 #"Stop!" – 2:59 #"Bruised" – 4:40
==Personnel==
;The Bens *[[Ben Folds]] – [[Singing|vocals]], [[piano]], [[synthesiser]], [[bass guitar]], [[guitar]], [[Drum kit|drums]], [[Record producer|producer]] *[[Ben Kweller]] – vocals, guitar, drums, producer *[[Ben Lee]] – vocals, bass guitar, guitar, producer
;Production *[[Greg Calbi]] – [[Audio mastering|mastering]] *[[Marc Chevalier]] – [[Audio engineering|engineer]] *[[Leon Overtoom]] – mastering *[[Frally Hynes]] – photography
==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="Wilson">{{cite web | url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-bens-mw0001384726 | title = ''The Bens'' – The Bens | last = Wilson | first = MacKenzie | publisher = [[AllMusic]] | accessdate = 11 November 2016 }}</ref>
<ref name="Lee">{{cite web | url = http://www.ozmusicproject.net/magazine/cdreviews7861.html | archive-url = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20060806140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/36937/20060807-0000/www.ozmusicproject.net/magazine/cdreviews7861.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 6 August 2006 | title = The Bens: ''The Bens'' | last = Lee | first = Jasper | publisher = Oz Music Project | accessdate = 11 November 2016 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
<ref name="Triple J List">{{cite web |url = http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/archive/archive.htm?context=track&search=Just+Pretend&yearrange=1989%3B2015&alltime= | title = Hottest 100 Archive: 'Just Pretend' | publisher = [[Triple J]] ([[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] (ABC)) | accessdate = 11 November 2016 }}</ref>
}}
{{Ben Folds}} {{Ben Kweller}} {{Ben Lee}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bens (EP), The}} [[Category:2003 debut EPs]] [[Category:The Bens EPs]] [[Category:Bertelsmann Music Group EPs]] [[Category:Albums produced by Ben Folds]]