Search - Stephen Duffy :: I Love My Friends

Power pop for the mature listener....

Bradford R. Macleod | Kenosha, WI USA | 07/31/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Stephen Duffy has a history of writing pristine, hooky pop music--in the eighties as "Tin Tin" and "The Lilac Time" and more recently under his own name (as well as co-writing songs for Barenaked Ladies). "I Love My Friends" continues where his previous effort, "Duffy", left off. On "Duffy", Duffy moved away from the shimmering production and bucolic instrumentation of his Lilac Time period and added some distinctly rock elements (helped by producer Mitch Easter). On "I Love My Friends", he bridges the gap between the two. This album is bristling with melody and introspection. It seems like Duffy raided his diaries from adolescence through adulthood. And he sets it all to brilliant power-pop instrumentation--a cross between Matthew Sweet and Andy Partridge (the latter of whom produces two tracks here). Lots of sing-along melodies, hand claps and "ooohs" and "la's". Other guests in! clude Justin Welch (Elastica), Alex James (Blur), Rick Menck (Velvet Crush) and Aimee Mann. Fans of these folks can expect to love this album!"

Mr. Duffy Does It Again...and again...

T. Bradley Tucker | Richmond, VA United States | 02/17/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Is there no end to this man's talent and creativity? Fortunately for us, it seems as if there isn't. Having been a fan of Stephen's folk-pop mastery in The Lilac Time since the late 80's, I must tell you that this (and all of his) edgier guitar pop sounds just as natural, as organic, and as beautiful as any of his TLT work. No songs will be skipped on this CD, I assure you....if you are a fan of XTC, Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, Matthew Sweet, etc. you must own this album. Like the aforementioned artists, Stephen's work takes a perfectly modern stance while firmly shaking hands with the more "vintage" sounds of previous eras. If you need it in Beatlespeak, think Rubber Soul/Revolver. Just get it, and anything else of his you can get your hands on. OK?"

Duffy does it again

T. Bradley Tucker | 11/19/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For anyone wanting to get into music that is extremely accessible and yet vastly underrated, this is an album for you. It has been way too long since the release of Music in Colours, and I was wondering what happened to this 80s wunderkind...but he has produced a very balanced album with some great tracks, and the hallmarks of Lilac Time (great lyrics) and catchy Britpop melodies are stronger than ever. It was certainly gonna be difficult to follow up on Music in Colours given the great combo of Duffy and Nigel Kennedy, but there is no doubt in my mind that this album is as good, if not better. Certainly recent involvement in writing songs for Canadian band Crash Test Dummies shows through. A definite buy."