Tunes for Being a Wallflower

Friendship’s lead singer, Dan Wriggins, rides the line between singing and talking in the band’s latest album, Shock Out of Season. This makes all of his messages feel very real and honest, like a conversation with music in the background. Some purists may dislike this, but it truly brings a unique element to this music. The entire project is the soundtrack to the life of an ordinary man, only different because he spends more time thinking and observing than actually doing. This is wallflower music.

In the very first song he sings, “If you see my beloved / say what’s up for me.” This is a person who can’t engage his crush, but instead asks others to do the social interacting for him. Heck, this “beloved” of his could be someone he just saw in the art museum and followed around, claiming her to be the one. And “what’s up” isn’t even that much for him to say. It’d be more understandable if he was thinking of pouring his shy little heart out. Nevertheless, a relaxing song about a reserved man.

“Fuzzy” sees the wallflower trying to help someone else out, but not remembering enough of the important details (too caught up in his own, mind-wandering observations) to give legitimate help. It has the best lyrics on the album: “You don’t have to worry about me/But I still worry about you;” “You forget so much;” “You don’t have to be happy all the time.” When he barely contributes to his friend’s lives he has little advice to offer, but he tries nevertheless.

Both “Sal” and “Sure, But” have excellent instrumentals, especially with the simple synth parts that flagship the emotions for the songs. The latter has muttering guitar running in the background that acts as all the things our shy man wants to say but won’t; the synth directs his feelings.

Most of these songs sound like they could be a narration/background for an otherwise silent movie, while also giving off a campfire circle vibe. The band’s inspirations come through a few times, for example in “A Few Weeks.” It sounds like a song by The Police at the beginning, and most of the second half of the album has a distinct beachy sound.

Even with the slight differences between each song, the entire project still paints the picture of the quiet, reserved fellow trapped by insecurities yet, filled with thoughts of his own. It’s great music to study, walk and ponder to, and to lie in bed nice and cozy with. Give this one a spin.