Her Next Friend
"Disaster Casual"
Anti Poison Records
hernextfriend.com

   

AUGUSTA, GA - Her Next Friend has a simple, fun, catchy style that is rare in today’s hard-hitting or morose music scene. A little like the stripped-down sound of the Modern Lovers, but with an '80s college-rock sound akin to They Might Be Giants or slower Violent Femmes, they unleash some quirky music on their new release "Disaster Casual" but leave just enough of an aftertaste behind to create a craving that can only be satiated with more music by this extraordinary trio.

With some of the classic-rock guitar wanking common on FM radio, but employing a more experimental edge, and topped off with John Burton’s peculiar vocals, the three piece from Virginia serve eight interesting songs on "Disaster Casual."  Where “House with No Door” is a little like Cake with the monotone simplicity it offers, the pleasant soft guitar on “A Shadow Beside Her” is reminiscent of R.E.M. But more than these comparisons, the band generates a fresh, wildly clever sound of lo-fi rock with just enough reverb and edge to give this record a feeling of intensity beneath the surface.

Well-crafted and ripe with skilled musicianship, Her Next Friend are easy to listen to yet offer deeper, more complex song structure and real-life lyrics for the more enterprising fans. Similar to Jonathon Richman and Transformer-era Lou Reed, the Virginia threesome release superb, mellow music and wonderfully written lyrics that are perfect tunes for getting stuck in a person’s head during those long hours slaving away at work.