Adam Ant - Friend or Foe

Spawned from Blitz, punk rock's better dressed off-shoot, Adam Ant was often accused of favoring style over substance by his harshest critics. Others credit him with putting some parody as well as some poof into what had become the lifeless punk scene. Either way, Friend or Foe, his first solo effort without the Ants did give him the biggest hit of his career, the giddy "Goody Two Shoes." With its not-so-coy "Don't drink/Don't smoke/What do you do?" chorus, the song galloped along thanks to a fine acoustic riff and a swinging bordello trumpet solo. The follow up single, "Desperate but Not Serious" was a bit more brooding, as brooding as Ant could get, but still managed to pack a punch. Along with Kings of the Wild Frontier and Prince Charming, this is Ant at his best. While Friend doesn't have the same tribal urgency that propelled the Ants along, it has a healthy dose of new wave know-how that only Adam himself could stand and deliver. --Steve Gdula Amazon.com

 An absolute classic
I'm so pleased (and surprised) to see the love for this album! So much of 80's pop is written off as cheesy, but with the tribal drums, incredible energy, excellent lyrics, and sheer creativity - Friend Or Foe is one of my favorite albums. It's the only Adam Ant album I really love start to finish, and it always puts a smile on my face. It doesn't feel nostalgic to listen to it, even though I'm a child of the 80's - it's just so unique. I always wonder how the heck this songwriting team came up with sound and even got an album like this made, but I'm so glad they did. I even like "Hello, I Love You" on this. I just think the album is perfect, and there's very few few records you can say that about. July 20, 2007

 More Than Just a Great Glam Album

It's too easy now to dismiss Adam Ant as a fad, an 80s Glam act. But listen to this album and you will hear a pop sound more sophisticated than just about anything that was being produced at the time, with the possible exception of XTC.

Adam fashioned himself as sort of a white, British version of Prince - a sex-obsessed hedonist. The persona culminated in the album, "Strip", but "Friend or Foe" was his most satisfying effort. This album contains his uber-hits, "Goody Two Shoes" and "Desperate But Not Serious" as well as the radio-friendly but lesser played title track. However, it is the lesser known cuts such as "Place in the County", "Cajun Twisters" and "Try This On For Sighs" that make this album the masterpiece that it is. The trumpet-infused, pulsating beats on these tracks will make you reminisce for the 80s again.

The only misstep on this album is a cover of The Doors' "Hello, I Love You". I never liked the original version, and Adam's version does nothing for me. It was a bonus track anyway, and it certainly doesn't detract from the overall excellence of this must-have album.
December 19, 2005

 Its the drums
All the Adam Ant (or Adam and the Ants) albums that I have are all vinyl. I may be stupid but I feel that somehow at least I get the original intent of Adam Ant's music. I've read some mostly good and some bad about Ant music on this site. I didnt grow up listening to Adam (that I can recall).. my first was Prince Charming two years ago.. And I'll tell you from this listeners viewpoint, being a D'n'B fan, he has the best drums of all time.
When I went to Coachella in like 04 I saw the lead singer of Queens of the Stone Age in his side project (what I was told anyway) Desert Sessions, and they played a song with three drummers pounding out a tribal beat in one of their songs.
I just kept thinking about how the drums were used just like that, but twenty years before, by Adam.
In all of his albums the drums are a focal point that drive the song, more so than maybe they should be. But it works. The catchy horns and vocals are there too... they add so so much to every single song. This album, in my opinion is not as good as Prince Charming, but those drums...those drums, they're there and with every album I buy, newer or later, are present and beautiful.
When u listen you can hear the beats pounding and thats the signiture sound that should be associated with Adam, and/or the Ants, great sound. Its rough and good stuff.
If I had a kid who wanted to play drums I would make him listen to all Adam stuff and tell him to pound out the jam just like in the Adam and the Ants albums. Along with the tribal paint Adam really created a persona of his music and created a feeling that really wasn't and still cant be matched to this day. Buy this album and Prince Charming, you should be happy with your Antmusic collection at that point. Then keep searching for the relentless pounding tribal drums in all music and you'll see/hear it. August 28, 2005

 He can never disappoint me!!!
It is my opinion that this is his best album. My favorite song of his has always been Desperate But Not Serious. Adam is the KING!!!! Do yourself a favor, BUY IT! Thank you Adam for being one of the greatest entertainers of all time. WE LOVE YOU!!! July 28, 2005

 what a big bore you pop stars are!
What can I say. A classic! Adam, in my book, was and always will be to me, the quintessential entertainer. He came along and gave the music scene much needed style and flair. His musical style and witty lyrics from Dirk Wears White Socks on through Vive Le Rock, was, for me, inspirational and inspiring. I was 16 when Friend or Foe came out and it quite literally changed my life. It made me take a look at myself and gave me the attitude of "take it up or leave it". The standout tracks for me are: Friend or Foe, Something Girls, Place in the Country, Goody Two Shoes, Crackpot History..., Made of Money, Try this for sighs. Fresh music, clever lyrics. Adam was my generations Elvis. "People lie people hurt, like to read their Sunday dirt. So every Jeckyll needs a Hyde to blame the business on" Great line! Most of his albums have just recently been remastered. Dirk, kings and Prince Charming are available now and Friend or Foe, Strip and Vive Le Rock are being released April 4, 2005. I recommend getting these as there are loads of extras on them. "Antmusic for Sexpeople! Sexmusic for Antpeople! You might not like it now but you will" I could go on and on but i'll stop now. Enjoy! March 13, 2005

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