“Personal Record” Eleanor Friedberger
Eleanor Friedberger and her brother, Matthew, built a solid following as the core of the Fiery Furnaces. In 2011, Eleanor branched out with her first solo CD, Last Summer. Her latest release, Personal Record, finds Friedberger extending herself even further in ways that are difficult to define with a single genre. The record sparkles with crisp, well-produced indie pop, rock and folk. It’s full of great stories, spun with a deft touch that’s witty, intelligent and most of all, genuine. Musically, the foundational rock elements of electric guitar, bass and drums are supplemented by anything from organ to piano or slide guitar to flute or clarinet. Fresh, musically accomplished and lyrically smart, there’s a lot to enjoy! One of my favorites.
— Francis

Recommended: 2, 11, 10, 12, 9, 4, 3. No FCCs detected.

1. (3:56) I Don’t Want to Bother You — Swings and sways like a Van Morrison tune, with lyrics that shift from self-deprecating to scathing.
2. (3:45) When I Knew — High-energy, fast-tempo, alternative folk-rock. Snappy, upbeat melody and lyrics about exploring a new friendship. ****
3. (3:19) I’ll Never Be Happy Again — Timekeeper bass and rhythm. Expansive electric guitar. Vocals with a crystal clear delivery that’s reminiscent of Lucinda Williams. What some in L.A. might label as “canyon rock.” **
4. (2:56) Stare at the Sun — Almost a punk edge. Very fast tempo. Rapid-fire drumming and rapidly strummed guitar. Plus, the occasional repeated plinking of a piano ***
5. (4:51) Echo or Encore — Languid and laid-back, bossa nova stylings played on piano and upright bass — like Friedberger was performing on a lazy afternoon on some tropical island, with fans silently turning in the shimmering heat.
6. (3:38) My Own World — More of an alt. country-rock flavor. Nice guitar licks. Comfortable.
7. (3:21) Tomorrow Tomorrow — Mid-tempo. Prominent drumming. Slightly reverb-y vocals. Rocking guitars and organ in lead break.
8. (3:24) You’ll Never Know Me — Syncopated drums underscore this skipping melody. Ringing guitar. Fully orchestrated.
9. (3:28) I Am the Past — Acoustic guitar. Really nice folk sensibilities. Mellow clarinet in breaks between verses, and flute solo in lead break. ***
10. (3:46) She’s a Mirror — Bouncy fun — a toe-tapper or head-nodder. Almost a Hall & Oates vibe from the 80s. ***
11. (6:06) Other Boys — A candid, calmly desperate look (in 3/4 time) at open relationships that are more one-way than the other. Her guy’s girlfriends include “the spider you kissed in her stairwell” and “that sometime star of stage and screen who had a bit part…back in her teens.” And all along, Friedberger unconvincingly insists she has “other boys” too. ****
12. (3:46) Singing Time — Wryly wistful closer about letting go of lost relationships. Starts with fingerpicked acoustic guitar and rich harmonies, then rises up at about 2:25 to a powerful finish. ***