User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Friend And Foe
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Friend And Foe Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 52 Ratings

  • Summary: This second song-based album of unconventional indie-rock from the Portland, Ore. trio marks their Barsuk debut.

Top Track

Wet & Rusting
I made you a present, You'll never expect it. And when you unravel, The secret will travel home. It's hard to take risks With a pessimist. I hope... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List »
Powered by

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Lost At Sea
    90
    While they are not afraid to bang the drums and rock out, Menomena keep the majority of this album behind a beautiful mask of complimentary melodies.
  2. Filter
    88
    Ranging from the epic to the understated, Menomena manages to be innovative and accessible.
  3. Pitchfork
    85
    Friend and Foe follows through on the potential of their unique sound, proving their wildly great debut was no fluke.
  4. No Ripcord
    80
    It’s grandly impressive and points to potentially greater things in the future.
  5. Dusted Magazine
    80
    There's a sort of magic in the way this Portland threesome balances structure and chaos, pop and noise.
  6. Paste Magazine
    70
    Friend and Foe compensates for its occasional melodic malaise with its vigorous, exploratory prosody.
  7. Tiny Mix Tapes
    50
    While Menomena’s sound has matured and their musical prowess has grown considerably, similarities between songs of old and new are unmistakable.

See all 20 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 27
  3. Negative: 2 out of 27
  1. AndrewC.
    Aug 31, 2008
    10
    Buy for the stunning album artwork alone! This album (and Menomena) are criminally underrated. Yes it has received mad buzz and accolades but Buy for the stunning album artwork alone! This album (and Menomena) are criminally underrated. Yes it has received mad buzz and accolades but admittedly it's a complex … Collapse
  2. ChuckJ
    Jan 19, 2007
    10
    It's simply fantastic.
  4. thepelican
    Jan 23, 2007
    10
    These guys are making some of the most innovative music in the indie scene. At a time when so many bands are creating music that, while nice These guys are making some of the most innovative music in the indie scene. At a time when so many bands are creating music that, while nice and pretty, sounds like every other indie band, it's refreshing to hear someone like this. IATFBM was not a fluke; Menomena are on their way to something big (relatively speaking, of course). Get this now so that you can say you knew them when they were still indie.… Expand
  5. BrandenW
    Jan 20, 2007
    9
    This album achingly reinforces the fact that Menomena is the best band that nobody has ever heard about. The only problem is that it makes This album achingly reinforces the fact that Menomena is the best band that nobody has ever heard about. The only problem is that it makes you feel bad for ever listening to anything else.… Expand
  6. kevink
    Feb 7, 2007
    9
    The bass and drums of this band sound just plain thrilling. The vocals are done in a way I haven't heard before. This is not a band for The bass and drums of this band sound just plain thrilling. The vocals are done in a way I haven't heard before. This is not a band for everybody but I like they're spontaneous brand of songs.… Expand
  7. JordanK
    Jan 22, 2007
    8
    There's a couple songs that I consider too silly, but even those I like after a couple listens. Other songs, however, put me in such a There's a couple songs that I consider too silly, but even those I like after a couple listens. Other songs, however, put me in such a state of euphoria. Their sound is amazing; it's all well done but not covered in glitter. You can tell they have talent without them having to show off. I do agree that certain aspects of their sound at certain moments sound like recent (and some late even) Flaming Lips. I think overall, they achieve their own unique sound (which like an published sound nowadays, is observed and incorporated from many previous sounds before it). I particularly like their chord progressions on certain songs like "Duel". Pretty good progressions throughout the album, although on a couple tracks it got a little too minimalist, just going back and forth between a couple chords (even in these songs, there was enough texture in the rest of the sound to justify the minimalism). All in all, great album. I'm way impressed… Expand
  8. KeneshaP
    Feb 15, 2007
    2
    After reading all the different reviews saying how original and out-there Menomena were I was expecting something exciting and new. After reading all the different reviews saying how original and out-there Menomena were I was expecting something exciting and new. What's so original about this? They sound just like every other indie rock band i've ever heard with a little Beach Boys thrown in on the last track. Give me a break.… Expand

See all 27 User Reviews

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 If I don't make it, I love u - Still House Plants
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
92 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
92 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 1989 (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Black Bayou - Robert Finley
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
88 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
87 Bright Future - Adrianne Lenker
All Current Music »