"Befriended" is a quiet record. I kind of think of it as an extension of
"Birds..." They've lost Steve, and so lost one half of a particularly tight
Rhythm section. I have to admit, I was kinda hoping he might return for
this record. I used to do sit-ups to "Glow." I don't think anyone will do
sit-ups to "Befriended," (least of all me, who these days wouldn't know a
sit-up if it bit him on the ass.) There are drums on the album, but rather
than drive the album, they kind of hang back a bit, acting as another bit of
texture, letting the guitars set the tempos, which are, for the most part,
slow. You might want to put on some Lynyrd Skynyrd as a palette cleanser
after the record finishes.
That said, every song on the record is gorgeous. Highlights include
"Tomorrow on the Runway," "When Mac was Swimming," "Sweep Down Early," and
"Look for Me as You Go By." Karens lyrics are characteristically evocative
and elliptical. Some of the songs seem particularly prayerful and personal.
I once heard a reviewer say of Bob Dylan that he would buy an album of the
man "breathing heavy." Given that here we have a band that features a
vocalist who *doesn't* sound like a cow with his leg stuck in the fence ;),
I can't imagine why any fan wouldn't wanna pick up this record.
J
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