| Friends and Lovers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by Bernard Butler | ||||
| Released | 25 October 1999 | |||
| Recorded | RAK studios | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Label | Creation | |||
| Producer | Bernard Butler | |||
| Bernard Butler chronology | ||||
|
||||
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic | [1] |
| NME | (6/10)[2] |
| The Phoenix | [3] |
| PopMatters | [4] |
Friends and Lovers is the second album from English singer Bernard Butler released in 1999.
The album is a lot different to his debut as it is more upbeat and sounds more like a pop-rock record. 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. The album was recorded in London and Chipping Norton, and mixed in New York by Andy Wallace.[5]
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."[6]
Some critics have seen it as a step forward from his debut. One review wrote that, "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] Another review 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."[8]
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.[9]
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.[5] "I'd Do It Again If I Could" was released as a single in the U.S. through Columbia Records.
All songs written by Bernard Butler.
|
|||||||||||