The Friction Brothers

The Friction Brothers are a rare young band whose songs sound as if they've been honed over several decades. There's a particular timeless flair to vocalist-guitarist Nathaniel James that's reminiscent of the tarnished romanticism of Lou Reed or Paul Westerberg. James' emotions are earnest, but his wisely cynical worldview nicely defies the band's pop lilt.
- Willamette Week

...The Friction Brothers' The Summer of Friction, pulls together "Americaness" from every corner of the 50 Nifty: bits of Springsteen and John Cougar, little shards of Ted Leo, a couple strands from Southern rock's gorgeous mane and Nashville's fringe vest, crumbling stucco from the walls of the Walkmen's practice space, some Thin Lizzy (who aren't American but who's counting?). The band's great, driving, countryish (just "ish") song "Don't Leave Me Alone Tonight" was a featured MP3 on Pitchfork and PopMatters... Good song. Good band. One more goal scored for Portland. - Portland Mercury

There is a homespun feel to this album that I really like... Every song is good. It's the sort of CD where you can crank the volume and put it on repeat.
- www.rocknworld.com