Friction, Baby

Friction, Baby
Studio album by
Better Than Ezra
ReleasedAugust 13, 1996
RecordedMarch 25–April 27, 1996
GenreAlternative rock, post-grunge
Length51:44
LabelSwell/Elektra[1]
ProducerDon Gehman
Better Than Ezra chronology
Deluxe
(1995) 		Friction, Baby
(1996) 		How Does Your Garden Grow?
(1998)
Singles from Friction, Baby
  1. "King of New Orleans"
    Released: September 17, 1996
  2. "Desperately Wanting"
    Released: December 3, 1996
  3. "Long Lost"
    Released: 1997
  4. "Normal Town"
    Released: 1997
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Spin6/10[3]

Friction, Baby is the third studio album by Better Than Ezra, released in 1996.[4][5]

The album's title comes from a television interview with Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones. When asked how he and Mick Jagger stayed together for so long, Richards took a long drag from his cigarette and said "friction, baby." This may also be a reference to the fact that the band had replaced its original drummer, Cary Bonnecaze, between the recording of their previous album and this one.

The album produced two hits on the Billboard modern rock charts: "King of New Orleans" and "Desperately Wanting." "Desperately Wanting" also narrowly missed the Billboard Top 40, peaking at #48. The third and fourth singles, "Long Lost" and "Normal Town," failed to chart.

  1. ^ "Picks and Pans Review: Friction, Baby". People.com.
  2. ^ "Friction, Baby - Better Than Ezra | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  3. ^ LLC, SPIN Media (September 26, 1996). "Spins". SPIN. SPIN Media LLC – via Google Books.
  4. ^ Himes, Geoffrey (November 29, 1996). "EZRA: SLICK 'FRICTION,' FARM'S HARMONIES" – via www.washingtonpost.com.
  5. ^ "TrouserPress.com :: Better Than Ezra". trouserpress.com.