Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Assured, short and ultimately sweet, Friendly Fires is a glib reminder that you don’t need an M6 underpass, New York penthouse or guestlist to have an all night disco party, and remind us there’s no shame in getting your groove on.
  2. Friendly Fires songs are all manufactured to a similar formula but there’s a whole lab shelf lined with addictive variants.
  3. Lyrically, they veer between odes to suburbia, such as 'Photobooth,' and dreaming big dreams ("One day we'll live in Paris"); either way, they couldn't be more likable.
  4. Uncut
    80
    Their debut reveals a band bristling with ideas who've taken the time to streamline their influences into a syrupy white funk. [Nov 2008, p.98]
  5. Friendly Fires is teeming with ideas, and although the record's consistent sound can be exhausting--there is no release, no relaxation in tempo--it's encouraging to locate a new band with too much passion, so much that it can hardly execute its ideas on one page.
  6. Eclecticism like this can be a drag when it’s forced or disingenuous, but Friendly Fires’ enthusiasm is disarming.
  7. Quite what has held back the milieu of meandering morons that make up the music scenes mid range, mid class, middlemen is probably this intelligent and creative leap; crossing genres and keeping your opus open and fresh.
  8. Under The Radar
    70
    Given the humble, lo-fi beginnings of Friendly Fires, the sheer breadth and scope of the band's gloriously funky, expansive sound is quite remarkable. [Fall 2008, p.75]
  9. 70
    The trio offers copious catchy bits, more tonal variation than the usual guitar-plus-beats norm and an appealingly pleading frontman in Ed Macfarlane. [Nov 2008, p.91]
  10. At heart, they are strict pop formalists, packing each track with peppy hooks ('On Board,' as heard in a Wii ad), gushy New Romantic choruses ('Jump in the Pool') and Talking Heads-style nerd funk.
  11. Q Magazine
    60
    Their debut, recorded in frontman's Ed Macfarlane's parents' garage, is a tuneful affair. [Oct 2008, p.142]
  12. When the results are as fun as this album is at its best, it's hard to slam them too much for being derivative; better just to enjoy Friendly Fires as fleeting fun.
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 32 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 32
  2. Negative: 3 out of 32
  1. Apr 25, 2013
    9
    I have to say I discovered this band through a game called Grand Turismo 5. Their song "Hold on is featured as an ingame song among others. II have to say I discovered this band through a game called Grand Turismo 5. Their song "Hold on is featured as an ingame song among others. I am surprised to see that the song that got me into them "Hold On" is not one of their most popular songs by any measure. If you haven't heard it, it is a monster of a track in and of itself. I like to call it euphoric indie funk because obviously it has indie rock influences but touches it on an electronic basis allowing the evocation of emotions while adding some funky disco drum and bass lines for a fresh flare. After discovering them I fell in love with songs like "Paris", "Skeleton Boy". The prior three are definitely my favorites. This band deserves a whole lot more recognition as they are very talented especially the bassist who never fails to make me groove. I have yet to check out more of their album Pala and will post later on it. Full Review »
  2. ValM.
    Apr 14, 2009
    9
    The album is amazing. I'm listening to it already for one month and love it more and more. Visited their concert at San Francisco - so The album is amazing. I'm listening to it already for one month and love it more and more. Visited their concert at San Francisco - so cool and energizing! What I like on CD - it's fresh, interesting, melodic and of course so rhythmic! Full Review »
  3. dand.
    Mar 22, 2009
    9
    Young band, with a lot of passion, lot of energy. An addictive album. And that useful thing an almost perfect album to work out to!