Stone By Stone
Self-Released, 2025
9/10
The modern folk duo Friction Farm, which is spearheaded by Aidan Quinn and Christine Stay, treat us to 10 thoughtful tracks that welcome Annie Wenz, Pete LeVine, Todd Hoke and Siobhan Quinn.
“Louder Than Guns” opens with warm acoustic strumming alongside Aidan and Christine’s vocal harmonies and LeVine’s flowing keys, and “Stone By Stone” follows with Christine handling bass amid Aidan’s guitar for a more firm approach that surrounds war.
In the middle, “Spread A Little Sunshine” recruits Annie Wenz’s percussion to complement the eloquent singing and melodic guitars, while “Tyler And Peggy” enlists Richard Brock’s well timed harmonica and Mark Goldberg’s frisky percussion via the colorful album highlight.
“American Dream” and “Everything Will Be Alright” exit the listen. The former is a duo setting where the American Dream is dissected for what it really is, and the latter emits much beauty thanks to the heartfelt singing, pretty keys and gentle percussion.
An observational effort that tackles anthems and ballads with a sage like quality, Friction Farm’s brand of folk-rock is timeless, topical, harmonic and sometimes even humorous.
Travels well with: Siobhán O’Brien- You Can’t Run Out Of Love; Kate McDonnell- Trapeze