Shoes should be worn evenly and have no rivets protruding to the friction surface. Inspect the master cylinder, reservoir and proportioning valve assemblies as well. Replace or rebuild as required. It could be caused by sticking calipers, worn pads, low fluid or hydraulic system problems. If you always have to pump them up, at the very least your hydraulic fluid needs replacement.
Most cars have a slight brushing sound from the pads lightly touching the rotors.
This is perfectly normal. Squeaking may be caused by dust or dirt on the brakes, loose pads vibrating when applied or worn pads. Rhythmic noise might mean you have a warped rotor. Instead of a solid squeaking noise, it pulsates. In extreme cases, the brake pedal will also pulsate underfoot.