The smiley-face tone of this album title is not misleading. Although a couple of cuts tastefully skirt the edge of slackness and one (the very fine "
Mr. Nine") is an angry denunciation of Kingston's gun culture,
Friends for Life is more accurately represented by song titles like "
All Will Be Fine", "
Spectacular", "Good Times", and the twin throwaway tracks "Tra La La" and "
La Da De Da". Banton remains a better DJ than singer. He acquits himself well in the latter category on the heavily Bob Marley-influenced "
Maybe We Are" and on an amazingly powerful anthem of racial uplift entitled "
Up Ye Mighty Race", but he shines brightest when delivering his trademark gruff-voiced toasting over hard-edged dancehall rhythms. He spars brilliantly with DJ Bounty Killer on the dark and funky "Teaser", but his combination track with singer Nadine Sutherland is something of a letdown. "
Damn" is disposable dancehall loverman bluster, but the ska-inflected "
Feeling Groovy" is a pleasant stylistic surprise. This is not his best album by a long shot, but it does demonstrate his clear superiority to most of the dancehall pack. Recommended.
Friends For Life review by allmusic.com