On the full-length follow-up to the A Six Song Demonstration EP, Baltimore's Steve Hefter and Friends of Friends really come through. Twist and Hold Til Morning is definitely not gym music (not that I have seen the inside of a gym in a couple years. I can only imagine the technological breakthroughs that have taken place!), but more of an album to listen to when you need a pick me up when something's got you down. Twist isn't a somber album, though it has its somber moments; rather, it is a low-key, somewhat soothing album with surprisingly festive and bonding tunes like "Apocalypse". If only all bad news could be delivered this way.

The subject matter of Twist is often inconsequential, such as on "Pants".  But with harmonies like these, you just have to care about Hefter's heroes. The melodies on the album are, at times, enough to put Rivers Cuomo on alert. Same goes for the wry humor of the album. On "Why A Lawyer", Hefter sings about his mom's new boyfriend (a lawyer), starting by querying his mother's taste in men before expressing a genuine concern for her well-being. It's good to hear a guy sing about dear old mom without sounding insincere.

The album is broad-based in its instrumentation and features a full-blown choir on "Bullshit". Definitely no b.s. here, just good music by genuine folks.

Be sure to download the MP3 for "Why A Lawyer" and hear for yourself the clever lyrics and fun songs that Steve Hefter and Friends of Friends have committed to Twist and Hold Til Morning. You'll be a friend for life.