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. -Dave Clifford - Willamette Week

Tonight's CD release party for 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. You can also hear it at myspace.com/frictionbrothers. Good song. Good band. One more goal scored for Portland. -Adam Gnade - Portland Mercury