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Cacophonic, schizophrenic and at times self-indulgent. Like helplessly weaving in and out of consciousness ....reaching the deepest, darkest parts of a pit, wondering how much further down you could fall and if you will ever see the light of day again, and just as suddenly you find yourself basking in a glorious sunshine, surrounded by singing butterflies....beautiful but unfortunately too brief a moment of lucidity.
Yet I can't knock these guys, for they are breaking the mould, going against the grain and you have to admire their individualism and avant-gardism.
I don't really get the Furnaces, duo of brother and sister, Matt and Eleanor Friedgerger, and the shame is all mine.Tonight 300 genuine fans, fill up the ICA, and I am really envious that they can hear and see something that I can't, like being members of a totally idiosyncratic club I am not yet allowed to join....but I will go home and play again and again ' Gallowbird's bark' and 'Rehearsing my choir' , Fiery Furnaces' 2 LPs, and make the most of the fleeting moments of pure musical genius.
Words: Florence ACHERY
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Eleanor Friedberger
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It's a cold, dark, wet and windy miserable monday night in central London, just a football kick away from her Majesty's detached residence, but this doesn't seem to put off the faithful few hundred who pack into the tiny ICA to check out these strange Chicago siblings, otherwise known as the Fiery Furnaces, whose main aim tonight seems to be, to confuse this attentive audience.
The main bulk of the set is from current release 'Rehearsing my choir' which is a concept album revolving around and also performed with their 85 year old grandmother !
Whatever commercial songs the Furnaces have, they are given short shrift when on the second number of the set, debut single ' Crystal Clear' is rushed through in order, it seems, to get it out of the way. Many of the songs are performed in a free form, deconstructed and perverse way, challenging the audience all the way. It's a brave stance and definitely one for the devoted.
Wether or not this will translate into major success in the future, is anybody's guess, but in these days of commercial overload it is unlikely, and this is to miss the point. Maybe with this artful prose this is what they have set out to do and just like Marmite you either love it or hate it.
Words and photos: Tony BARTOLO
Florence says: Want to join the club ? Give the Fiery Furnaces a go, and 'Gallowbird's bark', their first LP is a good starting point. |
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| Matt Friedberger |
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