25/12/2023
Merry Christmas! Check out the perfect LP for the holiday season: Friends From School by SCHOOL FRIENDS!
Read Chris’ full review of the album below:
SCHOOL FRIENDS - Friends From School
Album Review
SCHOOL FRIENDS come out shredding with their debut LP aptly titled, Friends From School. It’s hard for musical artists to stand out today. Steven Johnson, Isaac Leggett, and Caleb Van Why arrange a truly unique and dynamic sound. Their album is one of the year’s best.
The opening three tracks are pure pop-punk gold. “You’ll Thank Me Later,” the band’s first single, showcases Steven’s innate ability to produce absurdly catchy guitar riffs and hooks throughout the album. I especially enjoy the transitions in the first song. Everything about the sound and lyrics of “You’ll Thank Me Later” seems to uplift and encourage the listener. The second track, “Hannah’s House,” opens with a beautiful contemplative bass line from Isaac that could carry the entire song until Caleb lays down a softer rhythm. It has the vibe of spending time at an East coast backyard bonfire. You will definitely want to put this on all your essential road trip playlists. About three years ago, the band released a workshop version of this track on their YouTube channel. I’ve been fortunate to have the song stuck in my head ever since.
I feel a pseudo-trigger warning should be given before “Snooze Alarm,” simply for the panic-inducing alarm clock that blares before the track begins. “Hannah’s House” is a quieter song, so you may have turned up the volume on your device to engage more intimately. Here is a “friendly” reminder to lower the volume before the tones of your waking dreams and nightmares takes you to the next song. Another quick side note: I recommend listening to Friends From School on a great pair of speakers or headphones to get the full experience. I personally really love my Raycon headphones (my podcast is accepting sponsorships, wink wink), as they pick up on even the most minute details in the sound mix.
We should all give “Snooze Alarm” its due, as the piece is in fact a banger. The trio comes out with their most breakneck and elaborate intro on the LP. I am especially drawn to the sound Caleb creates with his drumming. It has a driving momentum that replicates the unexpectedly alarming pace of life. The song almost seems to chastise the more carefree attitude of the two earlier. And “Snooze Alarm” has an absolute earworm of a chorus.
“Shoes (Alarm)” opens with a guitar chord and bass line that sound like they could come straight out of the discographies of either the Foo Fighters or Green Day. SCHOOL FRIENDS do have their own distinct sound but, like all great bands, they also evoke feelings of familiarity. The overall mood of Friends From School shifts during these next three tracks. The songs take on a more balladic and anthemic atmosphere. “Shoes (Alarm)” also introduces the bands’ first melodious, extended instrumental bridge sections, which are much appreciated.
This next song is my favorite on the album, simply for the fact that (I think) the band breaks out a rainstick for the opening and closing. I am therefore required to rank it high on the list. The title, “Thread,” even hints to its revelatory nature. The song hints at how it will evolve into its final form along the way. There are connecting threads and themes all throughout Friends From School, making the relisten a ceaselessly rewarding experience. Steven, Isaac, and Caleb produce some truly dulcet harmonies on “Thread” that keep me coming back.
If someone were interested in listening to SCHOOL FRIENDS, and they wanted me to recommend one of their songs, I would suggest that they start with “Congratulations.” I mentioned memorable lyrics and choruses earlier, but with this song, you’ll want to sing every line. The song plays with the conflicting emotions that often accompany the word “congratulations,” conveying the feelings of accomplishment and bitter-sweet nostalgia that often come with change. Like the first track on the record, “Congratulations” leaves you feeling invigorated by the end of it. The song can be both ecstatic and calming. I suspect this single might go down as an all-timer.
“Necessary Adjustments” is the perfect culmination to the album. This is certainly one of the songs that benefits greatly from a repeat headphone listen, as it allows you to hear all of the great background vocals. “Necessary Adjustments” also has a fantastic instrumental bridge that’s nearly two minutes in length. The musical interlude has an authentic vibe of early 1990s grunge.
Friends From School is a sublime record. At around thirty minutes, it has a shorter play time than most LPs, making the listening experience a breeze. Perhaps, the only complaint is that there isn’t more content to consume yet. I would love for SCHOOL FRIENDS to release a vinyl version of the album. The brilliant cover art would be an ideal addition to any collection. I do have one concern: the banana. I can only assume such a flawlessly ripened banana was put to good use following the photo shoot.
Band Photos: Adam AtkinsonClip from Pick Your Take Episode 52: Batman ForeverFull Episode Links - Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/6SBfbUEUkWWKojBt0K...
