The release of the Rembrandts' third album, L.P., is preceded by the hype of "I'll Be There For You," their theme from the popular Generation X sitcom Friends.

That song was added to this album at the last minute (in fact, it is not mentioned anywhere in the liner notes or the artwork for the project, just on a sticker outside the jewel box). The tune, like the series, is upbeat and relentlessly perky, but it's also damned enjoyable. The band has toughened the instrumentation from the TV version and come up with one hell of a single.

The rest of the album cements the band's critical rep as one of the great current pop groups.  From the stomping "Lovin' Me Insane" to the heartfelt ballad "As Long As I Am Breathing," L.P. lives up to the name, feeling like a long lost favorite slab of vinyl and yet, at the same time, feeling completely contemporary.  (8/95)

The theme from Friends may be the worst thing that ever happened to the Rembrandts. Admittedly, it is a catchy tune, and it was the Rembrandts' biggest hit, but it really isn't all that representative of the band's sound.

On the first album since that fluke hit, the band seems to be trying to distance itself from the tune. First of all, they have changed the band's name, which is kind of weird since Danny Wilde is only marginally more well known than Phil Sollem, the only other fulltime member of the band who left before this album was recorded.

The music is more in the vein of their earlier work -- the band had been a critical darlings for rock-pop masterpieces ever since the guys were part of the late lamented 80s band Great Buildings. The new album straddles styles like the Merseybeat folk pop of "Shakespeare's Tragedy" to the rock theatrics of "Wishin' Well." I hope that the people will give the Rembrandts a chance and listen. (4/98)