Friction, Baby

Better Than Ezra

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 13, 1996)
• Original Release Date: August 13, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Elektra / Wea
• ASIN: B000002HN2
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #74,033 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The first two albums from Better Than Ezra were recorded as low-budget demos and released on tiny indie labels, even though the second one, Deluxe, was leased by Elektra and turned into a platinum smash. The third album, Friction, Baby, is the trio's first with a big budget and an experienced producer (Don Gehman of John Mellencamp, R.E.M., and Hootie & the Blowfish), and it crystallizes Better Than Ezra's identity as a mainstream pop band relying on catchy hooks, straightforward lyrics, and top-40 arrangements (which in 1996 meant grunge guitar). Kevin Griffin, the group's singer/songwriter/guitarist, has excellent pop instincts, and the 13 songs on Friction, Baby are as pleasurable as they are unadventurous. --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars weathering the storm..., October 30, 2003

By	"aiylyn" (Washington, Mi United States) - See all my reviews

Better Than Ezra deserve a lot of credit. Why? Because they work. Hard. When I saw them in 2001 I had the impression that it could have been their first time on the road, they seemed so enthusiastic and grateful that their job is to rock out every night. This, their first major release and second album overall, is moodier and more erratic, stylistically, than the more consistent country-rock of Deluxe. The lyrics are a shade darker, the guitars are louder and grittier, and the whole impact is cranked up a notch. Considering this album came out in 1996, you can tell that they were influenced by what was going on around them in the music world. Still, they managed to display flexibility, a willingness to change with the times, yet still stubbornly original enough to stand on their own two feet. A rare compromise in mainstream music, and another reason why I think Better Than Ezra are the best pop band ever.

The material is deceptively layered. A first listen might give the impression that some songs were meant to be instant hits while others are simply filler. But further listens will reveal that some songs take multiple listens before their beauty is revealed. Songs like "Long Lost" and "Hung the Moon," I didn't understand until several years after I'd had the album. Every time you think you've uncovered everything there is here, something else comes to light. This album stays fresh through the test of time and has a stunningly high replay value - I can't count how many times I've listened through and not been bored. This is the album where Kevin and the boys made their declaration: they were here to stay. And they are still here.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars oh, baby!!!, September 19, 2001

By	Benjamin K. Potter "loyal reader/writer" (Memphis, TN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If this isn't B Than E's best album, it is certainly their most underrated album. FRICTION is catchy in all the right places, rocks out in all the right places and mellows out in all the right places.

Usually B than E fans enjoy the contrast. Other albums, like "How Does Your Garden Grow?" lean into the softer stuff. As Kevin (lead singer) said during a show I went to... "Here's a song to steam up the car windows." The window-steaming is at a minimal here, but some really pretty songs like WWOZ came out of this album.

All in all, it's great instrumentation, great vocals and great writing. Easily a five-star effort. And 10 of the 12 tracks are solid... how many albums can you say that about? If you like the singles on the radio you hear from this band, get this album.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is just an all around great cd., July 28, 1998

By A Customer

Honsestly I purchased the cd for desperatly wanting and that's it, Whatever other songs were on it I just got lucky with. But then I was quickly amazed with several other songs on the disc, i.e 'Long Lost' 'Normal Town' 'King of New Orleans' and the song that I think is probably the 'best' on the cd 'Rewind'. I bought th disc for one song and liked eight others, how can you beat it! 'Ezra' combines a little heavy guitar palying to some sweat sounds of creole from New Orleans to make a completely new, original and fabulous sound! This band has some great talent it's a shame they aren't as big as other less imppressive bands beacuse they certainly deserve it!! All around this is one terrific CD I suggest buying it ASAP and then get 'Deluxe', they are both well worth it!!