friendly fires

Week three and it’s the return of rhythm to Summer Fridays mixes. It’s also the return of ace artwork contributor Greg Morris who offers up this image of a super fun party time. Just what is happening here? There is a lot of pointing going on. They sure had fun on the Upper West Side back in the non-specific ’80s, eh? That’s what I’m imagining here at least.

As to the music here in, it might get this bunch of stiffs out on the dancefloor. (Maybe.) I think this one turned out really well, with one bit of beat-matching that actually doesn’t suck. Well I don’t think so. Lotta good stuff here, new and old. Hope it livens up any party you might attend.

DOWNLOAD SUMMER FRIDAYS 4.3

Tracklist:

1. Big Audio Dynamite – Just Play Music
2. Blood Orange – Sutphin Boulevard
3. Metronomy – The Bay
4. Shit Robot – Losing My Patience
5. Vacation – Jeane
6. Postpeople – Girlfriend
7. The Honeydrips – (Lack of) Love Will Tear Us Apart
8. Miracle Fortress – Everything Works
9. John Foxx & the Maths – Evergreen
10. Heaven 17 – Are Everything
11. WhoMadeWho – Nothing Has Changed
12. Tom Vek – We Do Nothing
13. Black Devil Disco Club – Fuzzy Dream
14. Saint Etienne – Avenue
15. Friendly Fires – Running Away
16. Jah Wobble – How Much Are They?

This mix in particular relies on it’s meticulously compiled track-order, so really please don’t put this on shuffle. More pointing might ensue. Liner notes after the jump.
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Friendly Fires, playing their second U.S. date (first being Saturday at Santos Party House) to a half-full Mercury Lounge crowd, know how to translate the percussion-heavy sound of their records to the stage. Bassist Jack Savidge also manned a second drum kit; Edd Gibson thrashed around with his guitar like a young Andy Gill; and singer Ed Macfarlane is the most awesomely spazzy dancer to come from the UK since The Rakes’ Alan Donahoe. And a hired gun drummer kept things tight and moving forward.

I just wish they had more quality songs. Apart from “Jump in the Pool,” “Paris” and “On Board,” the songs were funky but indestinctive and lacking in the kind of hooks that have you heading to the merch table afterwards. (Not that this band, who’ve yet to release anything in America had anything at all to sell.) It’s the opposite problem of Cut Copy, who seem to only be able to write singles but completely drop the ball in the live setting. (I realize I am the minority opinion on this but I am right.)

Maybe Friendly Fires do have the songs and they just didn’t play them Monday night. They sure didn’t trot out “Photobooth,” which is one of their best to date and that I was most looking forward to and seems to be one that could easily make the transition to stage. Or maybe if I’d heard their debut, due out in September on XL, I would’ve been more taken by it all. The highs were high but the other songs had me checking my watch. In the end I left with a sense of promise not quite yet fulfilled.

One of the highs was “On Board” which I shot most of guerrilla-style:

Then again, I’ve been in a crappy mood lately and maybe I just was unable to fully enjoy things: The Music Slut’s J and M were there and way more into it than I was.

Party Out of Bounds: Summer Fridays 4.3

Friendly Fires | Mercury Lounge | 7.28.2008