The Album

I don’t know about you, but most of My Friends Are Wizards. Pop punk band Hawthorn & Holly clearly feel the same way! Started in 2007, these wizards hail from Charlotte, North Carolina. We have Leah Schroeder and Christie Mowery on vocals with Eddie Mowery on guitars, while Dave Beaucar of Meriden, Connecticut plays the bass. This album was released on September 1, 2009, so if you’re ready to take a trip to the past, let’s make sure we don’t miss the Hogwarts Express!

The Tracks

We start right off with the title of the album, My Friends Are Wizards. This is such a great song for any fans of wizard rock. As they say, “wrock rocks!” I love the energy in this song, from the strong vocals to the sick instrumentals behind them. The lyrics promote love and respect for the wizard rock community, which still stands proudly today.

Oh, Child of Mine begins with an absolutely gorgeous instrumental introduction. It’s a parody of Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns N Roses. The energy and passion in the performance definitely lives up to the original. The song is sweet and sad as we remember Lily’s sacrifice for her son.

We get a look at Dudley’s birthday with Knickerbocker Glory. What would Harry’s life have been like if Dudley had treated Harry as a brother? Hawthorn & Holly delves into the Dursley’s feelings about Harry. I love how catchy the chorus is, and how deep we get with each verse.

The Villainous Tale of Flesh, Blood & Bone is a flowing and dark waltz with flickering flute and melodious piano. The vocals alternate between being sweetly soft and excitedly harsh as we go through the story of Voldemort’s revival. This was one of my favorite songs on the album.

Next up is a hard rock song all about how I Love Wizard Rock. This one is a parody of Joan Jett & the Blackhearts’ I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll. Through all of the shows and places this wrock band went, they were sure to make new friends. Funny how some of those friendships are still alive today. Wizard rock just has that power.

We have a special treat with I Don’t Want My Dad To Go To Azkaban (w/Swish & Flick). What happens when two iconic wizard rock bands come together to collaborate on a song? Well, it’s this track. The harmonies combined with the epic bassline is something out of this world. Whatever I say here won’t do this song justice, so do yourself a favor and listen to it yourself. It’s worth it.

I love songs about minor characters that we usually don’t hear much about, so it’s no secret that I love the next song, Marietta’s A Sneak. It is a high energy tune that had me dancing the whole time. The “don’t mess with me” vibe in this song hits just the right spot.

One Of These Days Ron is up next. The singers beg Ron to open his eyes and see what’s right in front of him – that Hermione is the one for him. “Gryffindor courage must have been lost on that kid” was my favorite line in this one. There are some incredible instrumental solos in this one as well.

Get your headphones in for Timeturner, because the introduction will be worth it. (Spoilers, the ending will be worth it too.) The energetic bass keeps the rhythm moving forward as we hear this beautifully performed love song. I love how tight the harmonies are, especially near the end of the song.

As The Sun Rises And The Smoke Clears (instrumental) is a simply gorgeous instrumental track that features guitar. The inspiring melody and chords make me think of a brilliant sun rising over the lush green hills of Scotland, while the sleeping plants and animals start to come to life. There is hope after a war is done, and this track embodies that theme beautifully.

Speaking of wars being done, Over And Won is the last song on this album. This song is a celebration of peace, life, and victory. The melody gives homage to the ones we lost with music that is sweet, hopeful, and melancholy all at once. It is truly a beautiful end to an incredible album.

In Summary

My Friends Are Wizards is truly an album that transcends time. You don’t need a timeturner to listen to these songs. From the love of wizard rock to the celebration of wars being won, this album is truly a masterpiece worth saving. Everything from the vocals to the instrumentals to how the tracks were mastered is simply sublime. I feel renewed after listening to this album and I hope that you will too.