#6
Matthew Friedberger
Winter Women/Holy Ghost Language School
Say what you will about Friedberger, the male half of The Fiery Furnaces, but you certainly can’t call him a slacker. This, his first solo outing (following his band’s 2006 release Bitter Tea by only a few months) comprises two albums in one package, each with its own distinct personality. Winter Women is packed with hazy, summery tracks (ah, the irony) chock full of pop hooks. But in typical fashion, Friedberger has chopped them up, filling them with abrupt mood changes and obtuse, often barely audible lyrics, not to mention heaps of vintage Mellotrons, beat boxes and squelching synthesizers. Meanwhile, Holy Ghost Language School poses an even bigger challenge, with jagged heaps of repetition buoyed by clattering pianos, an old-school drum machine and a near-impenetrable concept involving shady business deals and speaking in tongues. On paper, it sounds like a mess, but somehow Friedberger’s boundless ingenuity and playfulness make it all work, with clever turns of phrase and breathtaking musical details emerging with each successive listen.
No comments:
Post a Comment