Customer Reviews

Friends of Mine

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have to say...I liked this slightly more than Adam's first solo record, "Garfield". This recording is less low-fi than the previous album which takes away from the kitschy, intimate vibe "Garfield" gave out, but this is a great album nonetheless. Songs like Bluebirds, Hard To Be A Girl and Jessica bring back the same chilled out mood as in the first solo album and never depart from Adam's well known crazy shtick. I don't give "Friends of Mine" a full 5 stars because I was less impressed with some of the album fillers such as Broken Joystick, No Legs, and Secret Tongues. Not bad songs, but not as awesome the other tracks.

If you haven't heard this guy yet, I warn you...this is not some typical folk-boy with an acoustic guitar. And listening to just one album is definitely not enough...check out The Moldy Peaches and Kimya Dawson's solo album too. A crucial thing to remember when listening to Adam or his fellow bandmate Kimya, is not to take the music too seriously...."Night after night, I would lie with her pets, like a mail-order bride in a box by the steps" ...enough said.

Yo. This ain't too bad. It's like a Jonathan Richman album. It makes you like music again. But it's the strings man...awesome. The lyrics are a little wack, but hey, that's cool...this album is mad sweet...mad catchy. A good buy.

This album makes me feel like i'm in a chinese restaurant and they just brought the food out from the kitchen. Being that it was fresh, it was better. And they bring my mountain dew and i light a cigarette. (a.k.a. good)

"Friends of Mine" kicks-off the trilogy of Adam Green albums that I consider to be essential, followed by "Gemstones" and "Jacket Full of Danger". The lyrics are completely off-kilter, but the string arrangements are pretty and unpretentious, which causes the songs to be enjoyable long after the shock value of the often profane lyrics has worn-off.

Every Adam Green album gives off a slightly different vibe in spite of their lyrical similarities; "Gemstones" feels like a collection of showtunes at times, while "Jacket Full of Danger" alternatively conjures up mental images of Las Vegas and lounge singers clad in crushed velvet suits. Here the music takes on a more straightforward pop approach, with simple yet full bodied string arrangements forming the backing for most of the tracks. The album's lyrics are the filthiest of any of Adam Green's solo records (take a listen to the first 30 seconds of "No Legs" if you want a good example), but they don't begin and end at simply being dirty; Adam forms a real musical persona for himself by delivering an endless stream of non sequiturs sung in an almost completely detached, laconic manner that still manages to sound warm, thanks to his deep voice. The whole album it sounds like he's screwing with you lyrically, like he could put together this sort of album in his sleep, and that creates a wonderfully lighthearted vibe.

As with all of Adam Green's albums, I think that you need to approach "Friends of Mine" with the right mindset: it's fun music that isn't meant to be overanalyzed, though there are certainly some strong lyrical snippets from time to time. I'm not going to list what I consider to be the "best tracks" since that's a matter of personal taste, but I will say that the minor epic "The Prince's Bed" and the painfully hilarious but too-short "Bunnyranch' are some real unsung highlights. It seems like this was the end of the road for a number of Adam's fans who felt like he'd changed his style too much on his next release, "Gemstones", but there are a number of filler tracks on this album in my opinion, which suggests to me that Adam had stretched the formula he used here about as far as it could go, and I'm personally glad that he expanded upon his sound in subsequent releases.

I recommend this album to anyone with a sense of humor who doesn't mind having some strong profanity interlaced with their music. If you're only into Adam Green for his profane "novelty songs" this is the best album to mine those from, too.

Good album, maybe a little too much in the same speed but the lyrics are witty and the strings a nice extra. Bluebirds and Jessica are the prize numbers.

This album makes me feel good. Right now, my feet hurt, I'm kind of tired, kind of grumpy, but this album makes me giddy. Maybe because I see him as a satirical Ben Kweller, someone with witty, intelligent and brave lyrics that make you second guess Birds and people with no legs.

I suppose his background with the Moldy Peaches has helped him along a tad, but I can't help but have respect for any artist that breaks waway from their band to create a solo album that is actually quite wondeful!

It's just beautiful! Something you can listen to for years and years without getting bored. A chill out masterpiece. Nothing can be more beautiful and relaxing than that! A must!

I own his first solo cd, which is very compelling to say the least, and I am anxiously awaiting to hear the new one, although I have heard some of the new songs live in Chapel Hill when he opened for Kweller. Songs like "Jessica" and "No Legs" were great, like nothing i've ever heard, funny and something to ponder about. Green made me laugh and think, somewhat like a comedic Dylan, just him,the guitar and insane lyrics that cleverly f*ck your mind.

This is Adam Greens best album no doubt about that.

Wonderful catchy songs en a great clear sound makes this a brilliant album.

I bought this CD for a frined and we listend to it and it is AWESOME. It is the best thing from Adam Green that I have heard yet. Putting more bass and drums and even violins in his recordings gives his music a much fuller sounds. Go Adam!