Friends Of Mine (20th Anniversary)

Adam Green is a funny one. He sings about Jessica Simpson and thinks it's hard to be a girl, but he's starstruck by your mom. Green's a charmer, that's for sure, and his second album of poetically quirky songs is amusing in that Tenacious D meets Ben Folds for brunch kind of way. Friends of Mine rides the waves of Jane Scarpantoni's string arrangements, and such a feature allows Green's smart-mouthed lyrics to be a little less jarring, but candid all the same. This is also Green's first album recorded entirely in a studio, and the warmth surrounding Friends of Mine makes that obvious. There's a little tender care sewn throughout, for Green loves his friends and singing for them, too. So if you don't find the love in "The Prince's Bed" and "Frozen in Time," you're a cold sucker. "We're Not Supposed to Be Lovers" reminds you of that childhood crush who didn't like you back and the fantasy of how you'd seek revenge. Green may be a bit dejected, but Friends of Mine is silently laughing. He lets it all come out on the bass-driven rockabilly romp "Salty Candy." Just when you think Green's one of those lovesucker saps who can't see beyond his broken heart, the kid mocks you and mocks you again. Friends of Mine is clever and the child lurking inside will deck the astute adult self taking over, so watch out. ~ MacKenzie Wilson