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Jul 07, 2016 Web Exclusive By Charles Steinberg

The members of Arcade Fire have fed off of one another’s ambitions to spread their wings and try flying solo. Will Butler, brother of Win, took his opportunity to assert his own musical independence with last year’s solo debut, Policy, and has now released a live album of that record, plus a couple of new songs, recorded mainly at a Chicago show last year.

Policy was fine, but not extraordinary, which is why it’s somewhat peculiar that a live recording of it was conceived. If the live performances of the songs demonstrated some dramatic invigoration it would’ve made more sense, but that’s not really the case with the superfluous Friday Night. There are, however, some stimulating spots. When “Sun Comes Up” flows seamlessly into the new song “Madonna Can’t Save Me Now” it marks a stretch that steals the pulse of Funeral classic “Rebellion (Lies).” Butler can also channel a rockabilly charisma of Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley at times. The loose mood throughout spills into the playing, which at its best moments strikes a sprightly spontaneity, but also lands elsewhere like a weak punch to the shoulder. By Friday Night‘s end, you’ve had some fun, just not enough to make it that memorable. (www.facebook.com/butlerwills)

Author rating: 5/10