Local Release Spotlight: Best Friends Forever
Posted on 8/24/2007
Best Friends Forever
Romance Conflict Adventure
[Plan-It-X]
Welcome to the Local Release Spotlight. We all know how vibrant the Twin Cities live scene is, so when a local live favorite comes forward with a long-awaited release, we want to make sure you know about it. The first in this series comes from the two girls and a guy powerhouse trio Best Friends Forever, aka BFF. Even if you have no idea who they are, you can probably tell that cute is their name, their game, and their profession. And if you can't deal with that, you probably have a very dark and troubled soul and we're sorry for your loss of fun-having ability.
Now that's not to say that there's no such thing as "too cute." It's often hard for artists that incorporate handclaps, sunny keyboards, and witty sing-along lyrics to not cross that line into territory where critics call you "annoying," "childish," or "underachieving." Luckily, BFF already proved the opposite with their Say-and-Stay-Said Records debut self-titled EP in 2004. Their main priorities are unforgettable melodies and inventive delivery well before inundating you with invariable amounts of cuteness.
This does not change, but rather it becomes strengthened on their debut full-length Romance Conflict Adventure. Best friends (duh!) and co-vocalists Jes Seamans and Bri Smith swap controllably yet maniacally back and forth on the mic, outdoing each other with each new verse on the record, creating an unfinished, shaky, and absolutely endearing set of harmonies and yelping. Instrumentally, newly designated drummer Joe Rand perfectly captures and matches the ramshackle sound of Jes and Bri's bopping bass, guitar, and adorable keys, rounding out the undeniably solid lo-fi sound of BFF.
While this is what gets the kids rocking out and shaking their hips around town, it's the never ending supply of chuckle-inducing stories and confessions that Bri and Jes spout off that gets the kids grinning when they're shuffling their feet. "Handpocket" tells of various winter-related near-death experiences that could have prevented boys from being in love with Jes and Bri had they actually met their demise. "Eisenhower is the Father" acts as a kind of sequel to BFF's earlier obsession with Abraham Lincoln ("My Head in Front of Your Head"), this time showcasing a deep admiration for the man responsible for the interstate highway system.
Possibly the album's most memorable chorus melody and witticisms come from "Disaster Song," in which BFF's lyrical style becomes most apparent. Bri sings, "Now according to a study I'm narcissistic / simply because I want to be famous / and at times this type of thinking has a basis / with a drummer like Joe and with Jes as the bassist." The threesome is fully aware of how cute they are, but they love each other, they love BFF, and they're gonna show the world no matter what you think. Luckily, you're gonna love them too.
Stream: Best Friends Forever - Handpocket