The saturated music market today is full of bands or singers that have as little substance as a Chuck Norris film. The Innocence Mission defy most modern acts by churning out graceful album after album. Befriended, the seventh edition to the bands catalogue is packed full of wonderous lyrics that will no doubt make even the most cold hearted person feel sentimental while listening. From the opening track Tomorrow on a Runway, to the closer Look For Me as You Go By, the album runs a theme of change and growth. Change is by no means a bad thing according to singer, Karen Peris as she waits for a Beautiful Change,(also a track from the album). It is the perfect album for quiet reflection or to truly realize the beauty that life can bring.

Now on to the sound and mood of the album. For this album the band went without a full time drummer, though guitarist Don Peris provides percussion on several tracks. This means a similiar sound to Birds of My Neighborhood, but to make that comparison would be lazy. Befriended does have a simliar style to it but the feel of the album couldn't be more different. Befriended seems to meet have way in between their most rocking(and i use that term loosely)and their gentlest quiet moments. In other words its the perfect Innocence Mission album. Track highlights include the Astrud Gilberto-esque When Mac was Swimming, the heartachingly painful song, I Knew You From the Sun, and the bouncy Walking around.
My personal favorite song though is the albums closer, Look For Me as You Go By that builds into the gorgeously romantic ending in a two part harmony of "It's me for you and you for me." The song also contains one of the best lines from the album, "Don't see me only as I am but how i long to be."

My praise of the album does not do it justice so do youself a favor and buy this album to hear it for yourself.