Friendly Fires - Friendly Fires

THE BBC got quite a bit of stick for over-splashing the cash on its coverage of Glastonbury, but for its ability to expose people like me, whose days of going to gigs were replaced by nights of nappy-changing some years ago, to new music, it cannot be faulted. There I was thinking I'd tune in for Neil Young and the Boss' headline performances, when I found myself channel-surfing onto the blue button coverage during the daylight hours. This is the best way to watch a festival (mainly because it eliminates the threat of both botulism and trenchfoot), and means you can take in all the action on your sofa, with a cold beer and zero prospect of a ...  Read the complete review

I recently bought Friendly Fires debut, self titled album for a bargain of £5 on play.com. I bought it soley on the basis of 'Skeleton Boy'; the fab, punchy single that had a great accompanying video, with the band dressed up as, er, skeletons. The band hail from St Albans and are an indie band but quite unique in sound; mixing the usual guitar, drums and vocals with other, more unusual instruments. There are parts of the album that include samba drums but have a great blend that makes them sound like more dance, synth-pop than traditional indie. The album's first four songs are epic in sound. 'Jump in the pool', 'In the hospital', 'Paris' and 'White ...  Read the complete review

The self-titled debut from the Hertfordshire based band, exceeded my expectations. I'm not a fan of pop music on the whole and I'm not overly taken with the relatively effeminate vocals that can be found in this band but it does tend to suit the midly electronic beats and the relatively sensitive lyrics. Tracks like Skeleton Boy and Jump in the Pool are certainly worthy of their place in the English charts, combining effective rythms with subtle melodies to result in a near perfect pop formula. Their posh southern vocals may not appeal to all but if you take them into account, it also means you'll rule out Pink Floyd! They ...  Read the complete review

Here's a debut helping from one of Radio One's favourite bands in the world right now; Friendly Fires. Resonating from St. Albans, Radio One would have you believe they're set for world domination. Far be it from me to be the critic here, but here we go... Released originally in September last year, it's due for re-release at the end of August, with the addition of some new material including the brand new track "Kiss of Life". This original outing however consists of ten dance-punk/synth-pop/whatever the new term is kind of tracks that are, even on first listen, pleasant listening pleasure. Having recently been nominated for this year's ...  Read the complete review

Friendly Fires have become synonymous in the world of NME rated indie with energetic live shows, a spellbinding frontman and, most importantly, samba-tinged shoegaze dance music. The latter is displayed on this, their first album. Starting with the huge pop song that is Jump In The Pool, they immediately stake their claim for one of the most invigorating new bands around today. In The Hospital, with its catchier-than-swine-flu vocal riff, and Paris, their best known song with its mountain sized chorus, follow with no drop in quality. The fact that nearly every song on this album is endlessly catchy but equally diverse is a real achievement. The only weaker moments are ...  Read the complete review