by: Merita AppleaHead, May 29, 2012

“Friend to Me” is Austin Brown’s second release in his, now concluded, Music Monday series of releases and our very first taste of studio ballad from him. “Friend” doesn’t quite fit into the typical love song box though. As a matter of fact, I recall when listening to it the very first time and thinking… “Ohhh you sly dog, you.” 

Austin sings so sweetly that you forget about the fact that he’s pulling the wool over some poor girl’s eyes. Throughout the “Friend to Me,” Austin serves up the vocals I’ve come to expect, a little high, some low and of course the yummy vibrato. My absolute favorite bit though, is the bridge, the vocal arrangement there is just… layered perfection. “Friend” is probably one of my lyrical favorites from Austin, because it’s like a country song without actually being a country song. What I mean by that is, “it tells a story,” which is from what I’m always hearing about country, is the best part about country.

When I listen to “Friend to Me” I always imagine Austin doing some smooth mic stand choreography, something like what Backstreet Boys do when they perform “I’ll Never Break Your Heart.” Many a time have I danced to “Friend to Me” with a broom, attempting such choreography. This of course is a fail, because well, number one, unlike a mic stand, the broom does not stand on it’s own… and then there’s the fact that I’m not an amazing dancer. Minor detail. LoL.

Cons…? Jeeze, are there any? I don’t think there are. I almost wish there were so that compliments meant more. Because I’m definitely not just laying it on thick to make Austin look good. I respect the work and talent that goes into an Austin Brown song so much that I’d never just kiss his ass to make him happy. But darn it, AB just doesn’t provide much opportunity to give constructive criticisms. This guy is on his shxt.

Listen to Austin Brown’s “Friend to Me”…. HERE
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