Track of the Moment: Friend Crush by Friends

On the staff outing I was consensually dragged to a week or so ago, we saw this strange band open for the fantastic Neon Indian. Nobody knew who they were (if these articles tell you anything, it’s that we do almost no research) until I looked the concert up on the Union Transfer website. But then they started playing, and they put on a great show. It may not have had the production value of Neon Indian, but it was, in my opinion, a more fun show to watch and experience. So I decided to check out their albums.

They remind me of a bit of a Pheobe from the TV show Friends(I’m a white, middle-classed suburbanite; I have a working knowledge Friends, whether I want to or not); while they certainly can play instruments better than her, their musical style is a bit out there. They use some unusual instruments that you don’t really see in most modern bands, even indie bands. Wooden blocks, a cabasa, and plastic maracas (which at one point Oliver Duncan as a drumstick) all get their percussive turn on the tracks, and surprisingly, they don’t just let them play around in the background noise like most people. Rather, they let them play in the same realm as the bass and synth and vocals, and sometimes carry the songs through the bridges.

But at the same time, they’re also a Rachel; still clinging on to the synth-pop of the 80’s, trying to reclaim that once-great time period (depending on who you talk to, but I assume you’re talking to Friends). They’re stylish and attractive, and a bit flirtatious, lyrically, musically, and in person (if you see them live, of course). Samantha Urbani sings a lot about the love she has, or the love she wants, and it’s just so sultry and sensual. Even when she’s saying “I want to be your friend”, it sounds more like “you, me, bedroom, right now”. And then you got Lesley Hann’s funky bass that reminds me of 70’s dance/boot knocking music. And then they bring in the loud drums and fun synths, and you have yourself a party.

Everything about them is pure 80's, from the hair and clothes, to the music, to the videos, it's just pure nostalgia for a time period I never grew up in. So throw on some of this “weird pop”, and have a good time chilling out to some fun music.