The Fiery Furnaces - Charmaine Champagne from Thrill Jockey Records on Vimeo.
Critics have been generous in their praise and the general consensus is that I'm Going Away in many respects owes more than a nod to their debut release Gallowsbird's Bark, certainly in terms of it's accessibility.
While the new album is sweet, sleek, tuneful pop in comparison to the more angular bluesy sound of Gallowsbird's it shares that record's 3 minute, more emotive, more traditionally structured style. While shorter, more structured tracks were something they were clearly returning to with the last two records (Bitter Tea, Widow City) after their deviations with Blueberry Boat and Rehearsing my Choir it is with this record that the idea is again fully realised.
I'm Going Away is a much more immediate record, and this is largely down to the fact that the Friedberger's gift for insanely catchy pop hooks is allowed to take centre stage, almost entirely unobsured by the extra layers of discordant noise, errant notes and snyth effects which while adding greatly to the Furnaces' records are something that often makes their albums challenging first listens, if ultimately hugely rewarding. I'm Going Away is the record to use when first introducing somebody to the band, or to win over your sceptical mates.
