Blending country, folk, and pop into a seamless package is not easy, but West Palm Beach duo Friction Farm has it down. Singer/guitarist Aidan Quinn (not the actor) and singer/bassist Christine Stay's latest album is their first acoustic CD, stripped down from the '70s rock influence of 2001's Choose Red for the Sky. The opener, "Believe," tiptoes through soft balladry before running into the twangy, pedal steel-laden bayous of "Louisiana" and the lazy waves of pop on "Gravity" and "Washing Machine." Friction Farm's strong point is gorgeous harmonies, which thread nearly every song. Now, if you're a fan of metal or "college alt-rock" and thought this CD might feature foul language because of the slightly naughty name, well, the joke's on you! But if you fancy yourself some good, clean, folk fun, drop this baby in the five-disc changer and, like, relax. -- Audra Schroeder
Catch Friction Farm at 8 p.m. Thursday, August 26, at the Bamboo Room, 25 S. "J" St., Lake Worth. Call 561-585-2583, or visit www.frictionfarm.com.
