Reviews in General

Riffage.com Electronic / Techno Featured Artist Home Page (July 3 - July 9, 1999) & Featured Artist of the Day on July 13, 1999:
"A postmodern paradise for the ears: You absolutely cannot sit still listening to Sister Friction's turntable wizardry. His eclectic mixes have a more mainstream appeal than many of his fellow masters of electronica, and his music has an atemporal (though, at times, markedly 80s), euro-dance music style that is difficult not to like. His trademark seems to be wild synth artistry with a percussive pop edge. "


Reviews of

babysue review (September 1998):
"Surprisingly radio-friendly one man electronic band with a knack for lyrics and a sense of humor. Sister Friction is the brainchild of Robert Hedin. The music harkens back to electronic pop of the late eighties and early nineties. Robert is not afraid to let his electronic pop sound electronic, as is evidenced by the programmed percussion and wealth of sometimes offbeat keyboard sounds. The use of analog synths is sometimes reminiscent of Joy Electric, although the vocals and actual songs are miles away. My own peculiar favorites here are "Sometimes" (which could easily be a radio hit), "Everything," "Gone," and "Love At A Distance." Really good stuff, just a bit off the beaten path." (Rating: 4 out of 5)

Lexicon Magazine (Issue #8, Summer 1998):
"I love the B-52's, but every once in a while I just wanted Fred Schneider to shut the hell up and let the band play! Sister Friction is no Fred Schneider, thank God, but the music is the highlight of this well done set. Thankfully a lot of music is just what we get.
I found the album to be very '80s and very cool. At times sounding like Thompson Twins or a rabid Information Society (I know, scary, huh?) the songs perk along like so much '80s dance floor candy. Yet Mr. Friction does not allow himself to become hopelessly retro, songs like "Love At A Distance (Jax Abstraktion Remix)" are as up-to-date as you can ask for. And it is obvious that the guy knows every synthpop/electronica trick in the book. He has a bright career ahead of him as a remixer.
Not all of today's artists influenced by the '80s are Xeroxing Depeche Mode; some, like Sister Friction, use a much broader sonic palette." -David Richards

Minneapolis Musicscene (December 1998):
This was fun. The songs on here are both tongue-in-cheek playfully gay (Webster definitions 1 and 2) and kind of depressing and painful and conflicted at the same time. Musically, it's sort of along the dance/electronic side of things-not spectacularly original compositions but not so much like everything else of the genre that you would instantly confuse the songs with those of another performer's. Kind of retro-sounding at times, almost like something out of the late '80's-although the lyricism throughout makes this a fully contemporary production ('nuff big words for y'all? Okay, I quit.) -Holly Day

New York Blade News (August 21, 1998, Volume 2, Number 34):
"The '90s are almost over, but the '80s are still going strong for some people. On his first album, Sister Friction (a.k.a. Robert Hedin) digs up the styles of a dozen nearly forgotten, sexually ambiguous straight and gay acts from the New Wave era, reprocessing their sounds for nostalgia lovers on Glamour ... My Ass! (Incidental Records).
Obscure artists like Scritti Politti and John Fox come to mind on some tracks, as well as bigger names like Depeche Mode and Marc Almond, giving the CD an artificial 13-year vintage sound. Listeners who haven't outgrown such computer-generated Brit pop won't consider this a shortcoming." - Ernie Glam


Reviews of

Lexicon Magazine (Issue #10, Winter 1999):
"In my review of Glamour ... My Ass!, Sister Friction's first album (Lexicon #8) I noted that Mr. Friction's best asset was his way around a studio. Sure enough, this EP of remixes (at 67 minutes, longer than the album!) proves that, although he gets some help from other synthpop bands like Dissonance and Tinmen. Tinmen's remix (actually Keith Gillard) gives the song a slip beat feel, slightly early '90s feel. He recasts the song in a kind of Nine Inch Nails vein, to great effect. Dissonance (Blue Mix) takes the song into outer space, speeds up the beat a little and comes out with a nifty radio ready slice of pop. In their "Metalware" mix they make the song disco ready. No One's "Never" mix is a dub-like approach, clever, but short however." -David Richards


DJ Comments on

DJ Comments on "Love at a Distance" (Jax abstraktion remix)
"Great track" "Kinda' hard yet killer!" "Different sound! Dark & sensual!" Got my head bopping" "This one's just crazy. The mood of 'Love at a Distance' has an original sound to it. I haven't heard too many like this lately." "Cool tune! I like it!" "Groovy!!!" "Nice alternative sound" "It worked my Saturday night crowd on the first listen! They were boppin' to this one!" "Cool vocals & cool beats" "Good tracks and cool vocals"

Chart Action
The Glamour Platter Vinyl EP hits the charts at #24 in the Let's Dance / IRS Music Pool for the period covering Sept 24 - Oct 8, 1998! This is one of the largest music pools in the country with members representing 36 states. "Love At A Distance" from the EP also squeezes in at #49 on Pittsburgh's BPM Record Pool chart in Oct., moves up to #37 in Nov., and rises to #33 in Dec., and continues its clime to #31 in Jan. 1999, displaying chart longevity and continued popularity. We also charted in the St. Louis Metro DJ Association. A second push to record pools in early February has three more picking it up for distribution and it entered the Philadelphia Spinners Pool at #46 on April 1, 1999, climbed to #42 on April 15, 1999 and continued to #36 on May 1, 1999.


Demo Reviews

Larry Flick (Billboard dance music columnist, review from Bear Magazine, Issue 27):
"Speaking of intriguing newcomers, our BEAR mailbag included a cool demo by another unsigned act, (Sister Friction), which is the brainchild of Minneapolis native Robert Hedin. The music is a bright blend of slick pop synths and new-wavish pogo beats. Robert has a slicing sense of humor - particularly about his sexuality. "Maleman" indulges in cheeky wordplay about doin' the nasty with postal workers, while "(Theme)" is caustic, industrial, and chock full of cool prose." -Larry Flick

Cake Magazine (Issue 13):
"(Sister Friction)(Robert Hedin) is determined to set the world aflame by being 'the queerest pop band in the world (?),' as Hedin put it in his letter to Cake. Setting the music's sexual orientation aside, (the) music is dancable and well-produced. The many-layered synth textures give the listener something new to listen to throughout each song. ...Keep the music coming!" -Mark Olson

More from Cake Magazine (Issue 8):
"A demo created by one man, Robert Hedin, (Sister Friction) floats between Devo and Nine Inch Nails, utilizing keyboards and guitars. Although not spontaneous, the result is a composed and unique sound that makes you want to lift your hands in the air and dance. 'Maleman' will hopefully find it's way onto the floor of the Saloon, with its lyrics causing ironic smiles among the dancers. ...This demo is very original, for those who want to step outside of the realm of the typical Minneapolis sound." -Brian Willems


For more information: friction@visi.com

Last updated: 12/12/07