Friends and Lovers (Bernard Butler album)
| Untitled | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
| Chicago Tribune | (mixed)[2] |
| CMJ New Music Monthly | (favourable)[3] |
| Dayton Daily News | (B-)[4] |
| NME | (6/10)[5] |
| The Phoenix |  [6] |
| PopMatters | (6/10)[7] |
Friends and Lovers is the second album from English singer Bernard Butler released in 1999.
Background
The album is a lot different from his debut, displaying a more upbeat and pop-rock sound. Butler trimmed away the folkier elements of his debut, which relied a lot on strings. Instead, Friends and Lovers sees Butler bring the guitar to the forefront of the musical output. Butler has described the record as: "More direct, more concise, no strings."[8] The album was recorded in London and Chipping Norton, and mixed in New York by Andy Wallace.[9]
David Simutis of Phoenix New Times concurred that the record is an upbeat affair. He wrote that "the main emotion captured on Friends & Lovers is happiness. From the up-tempo power chords, organ and handclaps of "I'd Do It Again If I Could," to the bouncing beat and guitar textures of "What Happened to Me," it's a powerful record of hope."[10]
Reception
Critical
Some critics saw it as a step forward from his debut. Sarah Zupko of PopMatters wrote: "Friends and Lovers is more anthemic and self-assured than People Move On, as though Butler has been steadily gaining confidence in himself as a frontman."[7] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic felt that Butler has greater focus on this record, however felt that the music needed "a larger-than-life personality, a vocalist on the level of Brett Anderson."[1]
Jay Hedblade of the Chicago Tribune had a similar mixed sentiment, saying: "Bernard Butler offers more textured, palatable rock cast in a classic mode. Like his début, People Move On, Butler demonstrates he's adept at building gorgeous mile-high melodies that hit all the right buttons, yet as agreeable as it is, there's still a nagging feeling that something's missing." Although he did say the album had "brilliant moments", he concluded by saying: "elsewhere Butler spends too much time waxing poetic without the verbal dexterity to hold up the grand nature of the tunes."[2]
Commercial
The album was not a commercial success, this was mainly due to the breakup of Creation Records shortly before Butler was due to embark on a UK tour. As a result, the tour was cancelled and he was unable to fully complete his promotional duties for the album.[11] The album charted at no 43 on the UK Album Chart.[12]
Singles released from the album were "Friends and Lovers" and "You Must Go On". "Friends and Lovers" had a limited release of one thousand 10" vinyl one sided singles. These were given out to visitors to Butlers website on a first come first served basis.[9] "You Must Go On" charted at no 44.[12] "I'd Do It Again If I Could" was released as a single in the U.S. on Columbia Records in February 2000.[13]
Track listing
All songs written by Bernard Butler.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Friends and Lovers" | 4:13 |
| 2. | "I'd Do It Again If I Could" | 3:26 |
| 3. | "Cocoon" | 4:17 |
| 4. | "Smile" | 4:02 |
| 5. | "You Must Go On" | 3:25 |
| 6. | "No Easy Way Out" | 4:26 |
| 7. | "Everyone I Know Is Falling Apart" | 4:18 |
| 8. | "What Happened To Me" | 3:18 |
| 9. | "Let's Go Away" | 4:03 |
| 10. | "Precious" | 3:54 |
| 11. | "Has Your Mind Got Away?" | 8:12 |
| 12. | "You'll Feel It When You're Mine" | 2:31 |
| 13. | "70 Miles" (bonus track on Japanese editions) | 4:23 |
References
- ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Friends and Lovers review". Allmusic.
- ^ a b Hedblabe, Jay (5 March 2000). "Bernard Butler Friends & Lovers (Columbia)". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
- ^ Perry, Jonathan (February 2000). Reviews: Bernard Butler - Friends and Lovers. CMJ New Music Monthly. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
- ^ Underwood, Bob (18 February 2000). "RECORDINGS IN BRIEF". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved 24 June 2013. Select link: 'read full article'
- ^ "Friends And Lovers - He might have the last laugh, after all..." NME. 19 October 1999. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- ^ Laban, Linda (3 February 2000). "Off The Record - Friends And Lovers". The Phoenix. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- ^ a b Zupko, Sarah. "Bernard Butler: Friends and Lovers". Popmatters.
- ^ "THE BUTLER DID IT (NEARLY)". NME. 18 January 1999. Retrieved 6 August 1999.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ a b Author unknown. "The butler done it". NME.com 6 June 1999
- ^ Simutis, David. "Coming Up". Phoenix New Times. 3 February 2000
- ^ Author unknown. "Butler to abandon stage for baize?". NME.com 22 March 2000
- ^ a b "Artist Chart History: Bernard Butler". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
- ^ Taylor, Chuck (19 February 2000). Reviews & Previews: Rock Tracks. Billboard. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
External links
- Friends and Lovers at YouTube (streamed copy where licensed)