from Built on a Weak Spot, Sept. 14, 2011:

Life Partners have been kicking around Boston for awhile now, releasing what is now an impressive six albums with their latest Music is Hard. Their previous LP, Men Are Talking, got some praise on these pages a year or so ago with its unabashed bar rock/70’s riffage combined with the bands usual hard line wit. At that time I also professed my love for their sprawling ballad “Planet of the AIDS”, to which I am still waiting for a chance to bust out in a turntable.fm room without getting the boot, much to my dismay. However, they’ve topped themselves on this most recent effort…and by a significant amount. First and foremost, Music is Hard is littered with tracks that skewer the nether regions of the incestuous bar rock scene and the pitfalls that often come with the territory, along with some other rockers that dive into various other humorous scenarios. If you have acquaintances that are in bands, well you need to stop reading and just go ahead and scroll down and click on the MP3 below. The title track “Music is Hard” is an anthem that probably won’t be surpassed for awhile, if ever. While I was sitting spinning this record the sudden turn into blunt honesty after the first verse nearly made me ball up on the ground in tears due to laughter. And this is coming from someone who has never really had to deal with the awkwardness and constant dodging of having to see terrible bands that unfortunately have people you know in them. But I’ve been there, and this track says it all. And while it may be the best song on here, it shouldn’t overshadow other great numbers like “Make Out Party”, “Are We Practicing Tonight” and “Lyrics” where the band lays it out textbook style for you, with a bit of an extra jab for prog-rock fans. Absolutely loving this. Music is hard indeed…