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Editorial Reviews
Eleanor Friedberger is previously known for her work in Chicago power-pop harmonie-musik The Fiery Furnaces, a band she created with her brother Matthew. Together they won a number of awards, sold out happenings the world over and made nine albums. That experience, combined with the fact that The Fiery Furnaces aren't breaking up, inspired her to make her first solo record, Last Summer.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
If there were a simple way to describe brother-sister duo the Fiery Furnaces, it would be something between quirky and dense. 2005's EP was a collection of singles that they followed with a concept album of their grandmother narrating stories in her life the very same year. I'm Going Away, their relatively uncomplicated last record, was quickly followed by an entire album of each sibling re-recording six songs from I'm Going Away, for an entirely superfluous "Friedbergers covering Friedbergers" experience. The more visible half of the Furnaces' first solo album even comes with a somewhat gimmicky back story: Eleanor recorded all ten tracks in the summer of 2010, then put the tapes in storage for release this July. Unnecessary? Without a doubt, but Last Summer tends to lean more towards the "quirky" end of the spectrum; a frothy blend of Furnaces-esque pop and straightforward `70s singer-songwriter sunshine, the perfect yet disposable album for your next beach trip. Preferably with your Ray Bans and V-neck t-shirts comfortably prepped.
If one were to describe Last Summer as "a Fiery Furnaces album without Matt," it wouldn't be too far off the mark. Most of that, however, is purely Eleanor's fault - the highlight of the Furnaces' live show with her tongue-twisting lyrics and distinctive accent, her personality dominates Last Summer, as it should. Friedberger has an uncanny way with words, playing around with erratic turns of meter and rhyme to fit in her verbose tales of Brooklyn explorations and Los Angeles meeting spots. It makes me wonder what a Fiery Furnaces rap album would sound like, given Eleanor's ability to squeeze every last syllable out of a verse. Last Summer is a travel album, and thanks to Friedberger's talents it's an evocative one. The trippy "Inn of the Seventh Ray" chronicles a relationship via a Topanga canyon hotspot, while songs like "Scenes from Bensonhurst" and the funky "Roosevelt Island" paint a wide-eyed lover's view of New York City as seen from the outside. There's nothing overly glamorous about it, though; Friedberger's L.A. and New York are placid and hazy backgrounds to her (rather standard) relationship tropes.
It comes together, then, as decidedly more low-key than any Fiery Furnaces album and with an effortless, almost lazy summer vibe. Last Summer is certainly a relaxing album, but to call it boring would be off the mark. From "Inn of the Seventh Ray" and its trippy vocal echoes to the sugary synthpop of "My Mistakes," Last Summer mimics shades of Fiery Furnaces albums old and new, particularly in the twisted structure and meandering horns of "Owl's Head Park." Friedberger has a more polished touchstone in mind for much of the rest of the record, however; the heavy piano chords of "I Won't Fall Apart on You Tonight" and the revved-up acoustic strums on closer "Early Earthquake" call up Fleetwood Mac and sunny SoCal rock with nary a cocaine tray in sight. The lovely "One-Month Marathon," meanwhile, is all Friedberger, gentle chords and whispery drums highlighting a nostalgic look back at love. In any other album it would stick out like a sore thumb, the requisite "acoustic ballad," but with Friedberger it's just an accepted change of pace, one that readily adds another dimension to Last Summer's sound without sounding contrived. That never knowing what to expect is just what clearly differentiates Friedberger from your average solo project and Last Summer from your regular Starbucks counter fare. It straddles that difficult line between accessible and adventurous, making for a fine stopgap between Fiery Furnaces records and an excellent summer album regardless of the year.
If one were to describe Last Summer as "a Fiery Furnaces album without Matt," it wouldn't be too far off the mark. Most of that, however, is purely Eleanor's fault - the highlight of the Furnaces' live show with her tongue-twisting lyrics and distinctive accent, her personality dominates Last Summer, as it should. Friedberger has an uncanny way with words, playing around with erratic turns of meter and rhyme to fit in her verbose tales of Brooklyn explorations and Los Angeles meeting spots. It makes me wonder what a Fiery Furnaces rap album would sound like, given Eleanor's ability to squeeze every last syllable out of a verse. Last Summer is a travel album, and thanks to Friedberger's talents it's an evocative one. The trippy "Inn of the Seventh Ray" chronicles a relationship via a Topanga canyon hotspot, while songs like "Scenes from Bensonhurst" and the funky "Roosevelt Island" paint a wide-eyed lover's view of New York City as seen from the outside. There's nothing overly glamorous about it, though; Friedberger's L.A. and New York are placid and hazy backgrounds to her (rather standard) relationship tropes.
It comes together, then, as decidedly more low-key than any Fiery Furnaces album and with an effortless, almost lazy summer vibe. Last Summer is certainly a relaxing album, but to call it boring would be off the mark. From "Inn of the Seventh Ray" and its trippy vocal echoes to the sugary synthpop of "My Mistakes," Last Summer mimics shades of Fiery Furnaces albums old and new, particularly in the twisted structure and meandering horns of "Owl's Head Park." Friedberger has a more polished touchstone in mind for much of the rest of the record, however; the heavy piano chords of "I Won't Fall Apart on You Tonight" and the revved-up acoustic strums on closer "Early Earthquake" call up Fleetwood Mac and sunny SoCal rock with nary a cocaine tray in sight. The lovely "One-Month Marathon," meanwhile, is all Friedberger, gentle chords and whispery drums highlighting a nostalgic look back at love. In any other album it would stick out like a sore thumb, the requisite "acoustic ballad," but with Friedberger it's just an accepted change of pace, one that readily adds another dimension to Last Summer's sound without sounding contrived. That never knowing what to expect is just what clearly differentiates Friedberger from your average solo project and Last Summer from your regular Starbucks counter fare. It straddles that difficult line between accessible and adventurous, making for a fine stopgap between Fiery Furnaces records and an excellent summer album regardless of the year.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I've been a fan of the fiery furnaces for a while, I have Matthew Friedberger solo record (which I absolutely love). And Eleanor's solo release is very impressive as expected. It's more pop-friendly yet it doesn't sacrifice the eclectic, spastic sound what makes her (and her brothers') music great. I think this deserves to get mention on best of 2011 lists this year.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By J. Hubner
Format:Audio CD
Listening to Eleanor Friedberger's album Last Summer, you get the feeling that she's had this great pop record in her and waiting to come out for a long time. I admit, I've never been a fan of her and her brother Matthew's band Fiery Furnaces. There are moments of accessibility on albums like Gallowsbird's Park and Blueberry Boat, but the Fiery Furnaces are more about seeing how much the listener can take. Blueberry Boat borders on Brian Wilson's Smile, but with less pop finesse and more trainwreck abandon. On Last Summer, her first solo outing, Eleanor Friedberger doesn't completely abandon the eccentricities, but there's a definite feeling that she wants to broaden her musical horizons with a more mainstream pop record.
`My Mistakes' opens the record with a bang. Retro synths and a beat that makes you want to move, it grabs you right off the bat. If this song had been released in 1983 it would have been a hit along side songs by the Eurythmics, Cyndi Lauper and The Pretenders. This is a great song. `Inn of the Seventh Ray' slows down a bit and has a dreamy vibe to it, not unlike the Motels `Only the Lonely'. With an ominous keyboard throughout and Eleanor's beckoning vocals, this track definitely has the ghost of the Fiery Furnaces lurking underneath. `Heaven' brings us back to the pop sensibility hinted at in `My Mistakes'. With horns and a keyboard that sounds a bit like a chamberlin, the track flows effortlessly like something Jon Brion might've had his hands and ears on. `Roosevelt Island' gets funky as she tells the story with a groove in her voice not unlike Phil Lynott talking about the boys getting back into town.`Early Earthquake' has a Caribbean vibe. With light percussion and handclaps, it's warmth is a perfect way to end this great album of warm, nostalgic moments.
The sound of this record is very much that of a classic pop record. The songs are upbeat and full of light and life. Friedberger's voice is husky, yet feminine. Very much like Chan Marshall, but without the quaaludes. In the song `Scenes from Bensonhurst', she has a real Neko Case delivery to her voice. It's a track that sneaks up on you. There's also this Christine McVie vibe going on, especially in 'Roosevelt Island'. The sound definitely pulls from 70's AM and early 80's pop music. If you took Mac's `Rumors' and the Motels `All Four One' and put them on shuffle, you'd have an idea what `Last Summer' sounds like. Plus, with her indie cred with sibling Matthew, the hipsters have nothing to boo hoo about.
With Last Summer, Eleanor Friedberger has done what so many other successful artists have attempted to do but ultimately failed at. She has left the comfort of an established band and ventured out on her own to amazing results. This is a feel good record with something for everyone. From the soccer mom to that hipster dude working at the coffee bar, Eleanor Friedberger has it covered.
`My Mistakes' opens the record with a bang. Retro synths and a beat that makes you want to move, it grabs you right off the bat. If this song had been released in 1983 it would have been a hit along side songs by the Eurythmics, Cyndi Lauper and The Pretenders. This is a great song. `Inn of the Seventh Ray' slows down a bit and has a dreamy vibe to it, not unlike the Motels `Only the Lonely'. With an ominous keyboard throughout and Eleanor's beckoning vocals, this track definitely has the ghost of the Fiery Furnaces lurking underneath. `Heaven' brings us back to the pop sensibility hinted at in `My Mistakes'. With horns and a keyboard that sounds a bit like a chamberlin, the track flows effortlessly like something Jon Brion might've had his hands and ears on. `Roosevelt Island' gets funky as she tells the story with a groove in her voice not unlike Phil Lynott talking about the boys getting back into town.`Early Earthquake' has a Caribbean vibe. With light percussion and handclaps, it's warmth is a perfect way to end this great album of warm, nostalgic moments.
The sound of this record is very much that of a classic pop record. The songs are upbeat and full of light and life. Friedberger's voice is husky, yet feminine. Very much like Chan Marshall, but without the quaaludes. In the song `Scenes from Bensonhurst', she has a real Neko Case delivery to her voice. It's a track that sneaks up on you. There's also this Christine McVie vibe going on, especially in 'Roosevelt Island'. The sound definitely pulls from 70's AM and early 80's pop music. If you took Mac's `Rumors' and the Motels `All Four One' and put them on shuffle, you'd have an idea what `Last Summer' sounds like. Plus, with her indie cred with sibling Matthew, the hipsters have nothing to boo hoo about.
With Last Summer, Eleanor Friedberger has done what so many other successful artists have attempted to do but ultimately failed at. She has left the comfort of an established band and ventured out on her own to amazing results. This is a feel good record with something for everyone. From the soccer mom to that hipster dude working at the coffee bar, Eleanor Friedberger has it covered.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Just not my favorite!!
I bought this because I read a review in a magazine recommending it. Unfortunately, it is just not my type of music.
Published 3 months ago by Deborah A. Ricketts
4.0 out of 5 stars
collector's review
There are 5 or 6 really great songs on the CD and very few weak efforts. Pay particular attention to "MY Mistakes" and "Scenes from Bensonhurst. Read more
Published 15 months ago by the old guy
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Stuff
I'm glad brother and sister have, -how shall we say?-, seperated and Eleanor is on her own. While Matt is a genius, Eleanor needed to go on her own. Sorry, Matt. Read more
Published 21 months ago by zanedane
4.0 out of 5 stars
NYC Summer Soundtrack
This is a really good record. What I've been waiting for from fiery furnaces but had to get from Eleanor. All the cool sounds and great lyrics within catchy songs. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Connie
4.0 out of 5 stars
Better than expected
I was surprised how much I enjoyed this record, having never really cared for Fiery Furnaces. Eleanor does away with a lot of the wonkiness of the band's efforts and lets a simpler... Read more
Published 22 months ago by J. Terzino
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