The Fiery Furnaces EP [EP]

The Fiery Furnaces

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 11, 2005)
• Original Release Date: January 11, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: EP
• Label: Sanctuary Records
• ASIN: B0006U3TZ2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #102,280 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

There isn't a band in the world that sounds like the Fiery Furnaces. They're folk, blues, music hall, new wave, and indie rock rolled into one two-person package. EP is a suitably diverse overview of Matthew and Eleanor Friedberger's odd, yet appealing musical career and includes most of the singles and B-sides they've released to date, resulting in a generous 10-track, 41-minute collection. Highlights include the single version of "Tropical-Iceland," issued in support of their stunning debut, Gallowsbird's Bark, and non-album track "Single Again," issued prior to more-difficult second album, Blueberry Boat (and "difficult" isn't meant derisively--loving the Furnaces isn't always easy, but it's worth the effort). The surprisingly lush "Sing For Me," featuring Matthew on a rare lead vocal, is yet another highlight. As befits their unique nature, EP isn't really an EP and is recommended as much to the curious as to the duo’s most devoted fans. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eleanor and Matt make almost too much good music, January 12, 2005

By	Alexander Henderson "I Like Music" (UNC-CH) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It is ridiculous that these two people can make so much music in such a short time span (Gallowsbird's Bark was released near the end of 2003) and not once dip below the "outstanding" watermark. The knowledge that they are going to be releasing TWO MORE albums before fall further staggers the mind. The Furnaces are a gift from heaven for music lovers. Their live show is also amazing (if you're reading this guys, hi, i was the nerd in the fire truck suit at the chapel hill show). This EP is no less satisfying than Gallowsbird's Bark or Blueberry Boat. Matt is like a musical machine set on over-drive. I read in an amazon review of Blueberry Boat that some consider them "more pretentious than Radiohead, less musical than Gwar." I suppose there is a marked distinction between music of this type and, say, Arcade Fire "Funeral," but unorthodox production and composition are only two of the factors that make this band so great. These guys have not only beaten their own path through the musical wilderness, they've built a rocket and flown to another planet. I leave it to you to trust me on this and buy this EP. It ties their first two releases together, almost in preperation for the journey they're going to be going on in the next few months. 5 stars is a petty way of saying "listen to this music."

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More than an "EP", February 17, 2005

By	E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I'm not sure why the Fiery Furnaces call this collection "EP," since it's the length of many full albums. But it shows how talented this new band is that even their odds, ends and leftovers are better than average. This colorful collection has no real flow, but it still ends up being one of the best releases thus far from 2005.

It kicks off with some stiff, dancey electropop, which sounds a bit like Devo at times. But then the tone changes radically, with the entrance of "Here Comes the Summer's" charmingly loopy pop, complete with muffled acoustic guitars, or "Evergreen's" offbeat, slightly jerky rock. It's hard listen to these three without being hungry for more.

What comes after that is not exactly even and flowing. It's very much in the style of their "Blueberry Boat" album, yet all the songs are unlinked. Rollicking rock-pop sits next to enchantingly ethereal pop ditties, and folky tunes sit beside weird art-pop. The finale, "Sullivan Social Club," is a masterful mix of electro swooshes and stately indiepop.

The rapid changes in style are what keep "EP" from being, as Mary Poppins puts it, practically perfect in every way. Were the songs linked, it would have been an absolute masterpiece. As it is, the songs can be taken individually as fun, often catchy indiepop that never sacrifices its complexity and quality for cheap hooks.

What it does do is show off the Fiery Furnaces' wide range of styles. The lines between styles blur in many of these songs, using acoustic guitar, fuzzy piano and electronic swooshes to make rock, pop, dance music and exquisite ballads. And their quirky songwriting gets another stretch, with only a few that skim too close to cutesiness.

Fuzzy piano, ethereal melodies and dancepop all mesh together in this colorful collection, which only proves that the Fiery Furnaces are headed for even greater things. After all, a patchwork "EP" of B-sides and leftovers is one of the best releases so far this year.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Furnaces sell out, January 12, 2005

By	alexander laurence (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This record collects all their singles and B-sides and other tracks lying around. When all is said and done it sounds like a slick album in its own right. It could be their second or third album. When most bands can barely do one interesting album, the Fiery Furnaces have done almost three. Yeah, this is supposed to bean EP. Most EPs are like three or four tracks. This may be a suitable substitute for the more difficult Blueberry Boat. The previous album had some monster tracks and crazy tempo changes and it was long. Has anyone actually made it through Blueberry Boat all the way through? The FF EP is a more pop album with killer singles and ultimately more successful. If I would tell a friend to get an album by the Fiery Furances I would tell them to get this. It has two of their best songs "Evergreen" and "Tropical-Iceland." Even the single "Single Again" was brilliant. Their lyrics are reprinted for the first time. The lyrics are like short stories influenced by Lewis Carroll and the Oulipo. "Duffer St George" is about hanging out in London, which is a subject for many of their songs. This is already a favorite. Apparently they are already at work on two more albums. Bring it on!