ALBUM REVIEW: When We Were Friends - The Backseat Lovers

When We Were Friends - The Backseat Lovers

Okay, okay, I know.

I'm supposed to review a new album that I've never heard. That's the whole point of this thing.

But to be honest, with this album, I don't care.

This is one of my favorite albums of all-time. I think of it as one of the albums that made me fall in love with music. It's the album I first saw played live. It will always hold a special place in my heart.

So, when a song from this album came up on shuffle while I was searching for this week's album review, I had to choose it.

And, with it being the week of Valentine's Day, it felt only right to pick an album that I love.

BACKGROUND

The Backseat Lovers are a band that hit close to home for me. I grew up about forty minutes from where they did (my sister-in-law went to high school with the lead singer, too).

They're like, my band.

Formed from the dynamic Utah music scene, The Backseat Lovers formed over a long period of time. It started with Josh Harmon (lead vocals) and Juice Welch (drums), later adding Jonas Swanson (guitar) after Josh met him in line for open mic night at Velour Live Music Gallery. They began recording in the spring of 2018, and released their self-produced EP Elevator Days in June of the same year.

When We Were Friends is their debut LP, released in January of 2019. It's the nine-track, thirty-eight minute piece of work that got their name out into the world. When We Were Friends set them up perfectly for the success of their 2022 album, Waiting To Spill.

OVERALL SCORE: 8.66

This is such a STACKED album. There isn't one skip, which is pretty impressive for a debut album. There's a reason this is one of my favorite albums of all time.

TRACKLIST RANKING

1. Sinking Ship

2. Pool House

3. Kilby Girl

4. Maple Syrup

5. Olivia

6. Watch Your Mouth

7. Davy Crochet

8. Dugout

9. Intuition

THE GOOD

INSANE GUITARS

This album has some of my favorite guitar parts of all time. The opening riff of Pool House, the melodies in Dugout, the acoustic drive in Olivia, and the iconic chords in Kilby Girl are all amazing.

Great guitars is one thing that sets The Backseat Lovers apart, and it's never more clear than on this album.

EVERYTHING YOU WANT FROM AN INDIE-POP ALBUM

Driven guitars with a ton of reverb. Pounding, booming drums. A front man with long hair and a mustache who wears Vans.

When We Were Friends is everything you could want in an indie-pop album and more. Sonically, it's quick and focused. Lyrically, it has some of the most heartbreaking lines I've ever heard (i.e. Sinking Ship). This album is so cohesive that everything works just how you want it to.

THE BAD

NINE TRACKS DOESN'T SEEM LONG ENOUGH

Clocking in at thirty-seven minutes, this album is pretty standard in length. However, I wish it were longer. It's clear that they have more to say, so I just wish they would say it.

I'll be honest, it was hard coming up with something to put in "The Bad" section. If my biggest problem with the album is its length, I think that means it's pretty good.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Like I said earlier, this is one of my favorite albums of all time. I love a lot of music, but this was one of the first albums that I fell in love with.

With The Backseat Lovers gaining popularity (especially behind the release of their second album), there's never been a better time to get into their discography. Maybe you'll fall in love with them just like I did.