Better Than Ezra Friction, Baby (Tan)

Any album that takes its title from a Keith Richards quote (“Friction, baby” was his response to an interviewer asking him what the secret was behind the durability of his partnership with Mick Jagger) has a lot going for it from the get-go…and a certain responsibility to live up to the legacy of the Glimmer Twins. Thankfully, this 1996 album from the celebrated New Orleans alternative rock band Better Than Ezra doesn’t monkey (man) around. On the heels of their success with Deluxe, BTE actually had a real recording budget for the first time, and, with the help of producer Don Gehman (R.E.M., Hootie and the Blowfish), they successfully merged songwriter Kevin Griffin’s Southern boy pop with the heavy guitar sound of the era to form a college radio wet dream of a record spearheaded by the hits “King of New Orleans” and “Desperately Wanting.” Tan vinyl pressing complete with hidden track, with printed inner sleeve. Fully authorized by the band…Ezralites, rejoice!