Why Can't We Be Friends?
The title song remains the obvious hit and standout track on War's sixth album. Inspired by a fight that broke out in the audience before the group mounted the stage, "Why Can't We Be Friends?" became a Top 10 hit on both R&B; and pop charts, as did the followup, "Low Rider." Another highlight is "Don't Let No One Get You Down," an upbeat, self-help message song. The rest of the album focuses on War's patented East L.A. sound, heavy with percussion, spiced with staccato bursts of horns and Lee Oskar's harmonica flares, filled with optimstic lyrics and soulful vocals, and includes the extended jam of "Heartbeat." If you like the low-rider sound that War pioneered, this is a great record for cruising or partying.--Tom Vickers