Fiery Furnace

HI.

I've heard their name a few times now, and have just been reminded of them from scanning the currently spinning thread.

From what I've read they sound worth a listen, and the samples on amazon sound interesting too.

Any opinions?

With a review like this....

"In an age where music is becoming more experimental (a good thing), and bands are pushing the envelopes of what a musical composition can be, we are presented with the Fiery Furnaces. This is one the most highly revered and acclaimed albums of the year, and it is also one of the worst pieces of rubbish ever commited to record. I can't believe actual studio time was wasted on this. I've listened to this album 12 TIMES, trying to understand it, or give it some credit, but the only thing that came to mind was how I'd rather listen to a tone-deaf baby play an out-of-tune banjo over a distorted bullhorn. It's one thing to be sonically creative, but to make music-less music, c'mon. How absurd are the hipsters of America that they find this inaccessible trash a masterpiece of 2005. DON'T BUY/LISTEN/OR READ ABOUT THE FIERY FURNACES... EVER. "

........how can I go wrong?

 

I think both their albums are really very good. Yes, they are weird/experimental (especially 'Blueberry Boat') but not that weird. The crucial thing is that there is some great songwriting in evidence, not just arty-farty weirdness. At heart, many of the songs are classic rock songs. E.g. listen to the wonderful melodies in 'Chris Michaels' or 'Mason City', and 'Spaniolated' reminds me of late 70's Bruce Springsteen, whilst 'Paw Paw Tree' is very John Cale-era Velvet Underground. Nothing to be too scared of.

 

They're excellent. Buy their stuff, you'll like it.

-- Ian

 

Not long after posting this, a bit of searching came up with http://blueberryboat.no3rdw.com which has lots of links to live stuff, videos, full tracks, and deMOs etc...

I listened to quite a bit of it and liked what I heard, though it didn't sound as "weird" as expected.

Anyhow, I'm sat listening to the CD now

Not got a clue what they're singing abut, but the lyrics are still great somehow.

Not even half way into this yet, but i'm liking it. Are the others worth getting too?

 

Gallowsbird's Bark certainly is. Less ambitious but some really good songs. The new one, EP, is a collection of unreleased stuff, alternative takes, etc, I haven't heard it yet but hear good things about it.

-- Ian

 

I reckon its all worth having. Blueberry is my fav but the rest is good too.

 

The link I gave above is worth checking out and having a look/listen at the various streams and downloads. Some good live stuff on there and I've played this (http://www.pancakemountain.com/fieryf.html) video clip about 20 times now. Great for dancing about in the chair and doing the actions along to it

 

MO! buy EP. It's 40 minutes or so, not an EP at all, £4.99 in HMV. Got it today, playing it at the MOment, excellent.

-- Ian

 

I'd noticed EP for about £5 in a few places. I'll pick it up when I get a chance.

I've played Blueberry Boat through a few times now. The MOre I do so, the MOre strange it seems. There's obvious brilliance in their, but sometimes it's hard to follow.

There's a very English sound to her vocals. Reminds me of Louise (sleeper), Sonya (echobelly), and Justine (elastica) at times.

Ian, Trisha?