The first thing that came to mind when I sat down to review the new record, Widow City by The Fiery Furnaces, is the word album. It’s a word that isn’t thrown around much anymore in the music business. The record is able to flow listlessly through all sixteen tracks and is reminiscent of the ‘old album makers’ like The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Led Zeppelin. Yet, they are able to keep their own quirky sound, which has defined the band. The album is also the first time the Fiery Furnaces have included a real drummer in their music, something that always bothered me about their sound. The drums by Robert D’Amico are in full force and sound amazing. As usual the music and vocals are top notch by the Friedberger siblings, Matthew and Eleanor. The lyrics may seem a little weird and even nonsensical but they are interesting nonetheless and are catchy too. If your interested in learning more about how the lyrics were written, check out their label’s website. Thrill Jockey: http://thrilljockey.com/catalog/?id=100843
The first track on the album, “The Philadelphia Grand Jury”, introduces the album perfectly. Through its many stages we hear a variety of sounds that range from Ratatat, The Beatles, and Jefferson Airplane. The song clocks in over seven minutes but makes you feel as if you want it to keep going. The album continues from there to three short songs that flow perfectly with each other: “Duplexes of the Dead”, “Automatic Husband”, and “Ex-Guru”. Each have a ‘strange’ folk sound that is highlighted by thunderous drums and poppy but still rockin’ vocals.
There is a range of sounds on the album. We get jammed out rock tunes with “Clear Signal From Cairo” and “Uncle Charlie”; Experimental blues-rock like “Japanese Slippers” and “Navy Nurse”; Weird and pretty pop rock tracks like “My Egyptian Grammar”, “Right By Conquest”, and “Pricked in the Heart”; And freaked-out noise rock with “The Old Hag is Sleeping” and “Wicker Whatnots”. This is an album that begs to be listened to all the way through.
Overall, this is a real album and probably one of the best rock albums to come out this year. From its collection of different sounds, beautiful sung melodies, and drums that just make this album rock to the next level, this album will not disappoint the listener who is looking for a real album.
