The biggest mistake My Friend Stephanie makes on their new album, One of Those Days, is also its redeemer. The rest of the album, at times half-hearted and dull, winds down to a stunning remake of "Lullaby" from their debut album, Makeover. While this piece is beautiful and makes an excellent closer, it also reminds the listener of better times.
Makeover, an excellent album, was tainted by the release of MFS's sophomore album, All the Pieces. Although the second album contained a few good songs ("Journey" and the title track), most of it came across as filler material, which is a real shame. Lead singer Drue Bachmann has an astoundingly good voice, the rest of the band is tight and professional, and they have the potential to write absolutely gorgeous songs (to which "Lullaby" testifies). The problem is, they didn't live up to their potential at all on All the Pieces.
One of Those Days, the band's third album, soars high above All the Pieces, which isn't saying all that much. Only about half of the songs could be labeled above average, and the sound comes a little too close to Matthew Sweet on "Marie." "1969," a song about Larry Norman and the Jesus Movement, starts well but loses its magic when Bachmann begins to talk about his birth and childhood.
Interestingly enough, there are two songs that reference the love and support of Bachmann's parents. The first, "Are You There," includes a note that says "In the arms of your mother's love is a very safe place to be." The second, appropriately enough, is called "Mom and Dad," and is prefaced by a sound clip of Bachmann's father relating the story of the accident that nearly killed his son a few years ago.
The album, overall, is hooky and has the potential to do well on Christian rock radio if given the proper opportunity. The songs don't cover much new ground, but that won't matter to the majority of consumers. Many of the lyrics focus on broken relationships, such as the album opener "What's Goin' On:"
What's goin' on?
What has happened here?
My baby's gone
It seems she's all but disappeared
No need to cry
I've shed all my tears
I look alive, but dead inside
Girl, I need you here
While not as good as their debut, One of Those Days is a fairly solid effort, and even at its worst is better than All the Pieces. Hopefully, My Friend Stephanie will continue this improvement with their fourth album.
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