New View
Reviews
Francis D
Reviewed 2016-02-06
Reviewed 2016-02-06
“New View” Eleanor Friedberger
Third solo album from Eleanor Friedberger, half of the Fiery Furnaces along with her brother, Matthew. Her music is traditional, guitar-based indie rock, supplemented with organ — drawing on the proven rock formulas of the 1960s and 1970s, without being derivative. As she has evolved through her solo work, her style has become personal and conversational, with intelligent, insightful lyrics about life’s everyday smiles and disappointments. There are some great melodies on New View, and some pretty hot guitar licks as well — as Friedberger and band member, Malcolm Perkins, are both quite accomplished guitarists.
— Francis
Recommended: 1, 9, 6, 5, 11, 2. No FCCs detected.
1. (3:58) He Didn’t Mention His Mother — Starts with 4 seconds of tape machine spinning up. Catchy melody moves at leisurely jog with jangly guitar and mesmerizing rhythm. ****
2. (4:43) Open Season — Languid tempo with liquid guitar and sustained organ chords underscoring lyrics that sound like a letter to a long-lost friend or lover. Guitar solo in lead break. Segues directly into Track #3 on a chord downbeat. **
3. (3:01) Sweetest Girl — March-like rhythm and repeated lyrics in the verses. Big guitar, drums and backing harmonies in the choruses.
4. (3:42) Your Word — Storytelling lyrics backed with organ-driven melody, strummy acoustic guitar and measured drums.
5. (3:44) Because I Asked You — Funky, bouncy feeling created by Friedberger’s great guitar noodling and playful organ. Almost a Van Morrison feeling — especially with the short guitar solo. ***
6. (3:26) Never Is a Long Time — Mid-tempo ballad featuring fingerpicked acoustic guitar. Melancholy. ***
7. (3:26) Cathy with the Curly Hair — Fun change of pace. Snappy rhythm, synths swell, organ continues to lead in the choruses.
8. (5:47) Two Versions of Tomorrow — Another song that could be right out of the 1970s. Organ, sharp guitar, great bass line. Brief guitar shredding.
9. (5:07) All Known Things — Heartfelt, mid-tempo love song. Strummed acoustic guitar and jangly electric guitar. Synth. Great vocals. ****
10. (2:28) Does Turquoise Work? — Stately tempo. Starts as a simple tune, but builds almost Beatles-like, with its layers of sound and use of the organ, guitar, bass, and drums. Segues directly into Track 11.
11. (5:49) A Long Walk — Mid-tempo, piano-based tune with storytelling vocals and great interplay between guitars. Taken right out of the 1970s. Could be Dylan, Van Morrison or even the Allman Brothers. ***
Third solo album from Eleanor Friedberger, half of the Fiery Furnaces along with her brother, Matthew. Her music is traditional, guitar-based indie rock, supplemented with organ — drawing on the proven rock formulas of the 1960s and 1970s, without being derivative. As she has evolved through her solo work, her style has become personal and conversational, with intelligent, insightful lyrics about life’s everyday smiles and disappointments. There are some great melodies on New View, and some pretty hot guitar licks as well — as Friedberger and band member, Malcolm Perkins, are both quite accomplished guitarists.
— Francis
Recommended: 1, 9, 6, 5, 11, 2. No FCCs detected.
1. (3:58) He Didn’t Mention His Mother — Starts with 4 seconds of tape machine spinning up. Catchy melody moves at leisurely jog with jangly guitar and mesmerizing rhythm. ****
2. (4:43) Open Season — Languid tempo with liquid guitar and sustained organ chords underscoring lyrics that sound like a letter to a long-lost friend or lover. Guitar solo in lead break. Segues directly into Track #3 on a chord downbeat. **
3. (3:01) Sweetest Girl — March-like rhythm and repeated lyrics in the verses. Big guitar, drums and backing harmonies in the choruses.
4. (3:42) Your Word — Storytelling lyrics backed with organ-driven melody, strummy acoustic guitar and measured drums.
5. (3:44) Because I Asked You — Funky, bouncy feeling created by Friedberger’s great guitar noodling and playful organ. Almost a Van Morrison feeling — especially with the short guitar solo. ***
6. (3:26) Never Is a Long Time — Mid-tempo ballad featuring fingerpicked acoustic guitar. Melancholy. ***
7. (3:26) Cathy with the Curly Hair — Fun change of pace. Snappy rhythm, synths swell, organ continues to lead in the choruses.
8. (5:47) Two Versions of Tomorrow — Another song that could be right out of the 1970s. Organ, sharp guitar, great bass line. Brief guitar shredding.
9. (5:07) All Known Things — Heartfelt, mid-tempo love song. Strummed acoustic guitar and jangly electric guitar. Synth. Great vocals. ****
10. (2:28) Does Turquoise Work? — Stately tempo. Starts as a simple tune, but builds almost Beatles-like, with its layers of sound and use of the organ, guitar, bass, and drums. Segues directly into Track 11.
11. (5:49) A Long Walk — Mid-tempo, piano-based tune with storytelling vocals and great interplay between guitars. Taken right out of the 1970s. Could be Dylan, Van Morrison or even the Allman Brothers. ***
Recent airplay
Never Is A Long Time
KZSU Time Traveler — Jan 13, 2017
He Didn't Mention His Mother
Kick Out The Blues — Jun 01, 2016
Because I Asked You
Kick Out The Blues — May 04, 2016
Because I Asked You
Kick Out The Blues — Apr 20, 2016
He Didn't Mention His Mother
Kick Out The Blues — Apr 13, 2016
Because I Asked You
Time Traveler — Apr 08, 2016
Charting
2016-02-07 — 2016-04-10
| Week Ending | Airplays |
|---|---|
| Apr 10 | 3 |
| Apr 3 | 1 |
| Mar 27 | 1 |
| Mar 20 | 2 |
| Mar 13 | 5 |
| Mar 6 | 1 |
| Feb 28 | 1 |
| Feb 21 | 4 |
Track listing
| 1. | He Didn't Mention His Mother | ||
| 2. | Open Season | ||
| 3. | Sweetest Girl | ||
| 4. | Your Word | ||
| 5. | Because I Asked You | ||
| 6. | Never Is A Long Time | ||
| 7. | Cathy With The Curly Hair | ||
| 8. | Two Versions Of Tomorrow | ||
| 9. | All Known Things | ||
| 10. | Does Turquoise Work? | ||
| 11. | A Long Walk |