The Fiery Furnaces “I’m Going Away” Review

It’s probably a good thing that Jack White has so many side projects going on right now. This way he might not be offended when fans of the White Stripes realize that the Fiery Furnaces have claimed the throne as the reigning power house duo of indie rock. However, I’m Going Away doesn’t just fill in the shoes of Jack and Meg, but goes above and beyond to deliver a clever pastiche of rock genres; a musical puzzle of spunky yet post break-up recovery songs pieced together by indie-folk-punk tracks, Billy Joel piano ballads (that sound like they were produced by the Beatles), and pre-MGMT indie-rock crunch.

The title track opens up the record with a bouncing Violent Femmes feel, “I’m going away, I’m going away/But I’ll be back some old day!” Distorted guitar and a chugging trans-continental railroad of a drum line mimic the fleeing words of singer Eleanor Friedberger. Actually, to be honest, “I’m Going Away” kind of reminds me of a song that Doug Funnie (of Nickelodeon’s Doug) might make if his music career had gone anywhere after “Bangin’ on a Trash Can”—but with more of an edge (I really hope that sounds like a compliment). It could be the playing back and forth between a super-distorted guitar-driven verse and a high hat propelled chorus that sounds like the drummer (I’m guessing touring partner Andy Knowles) is actually banging on the stand of the high-hat rather than the cymbals. The effect is a high energy Mexican jumping bean sound that gives a fun momentum to the song.

The songs that follow are similar in feel but distinct in character and melody, which is why I love this album so much. “Drive to Dallas” and “The End is Near” are both melancholy blues-rock ballads that someone like Rob Gordon (from the movie High Fidelity) might be drawn to. “Charmaine Champagne” is a pumping tribute to a (presumed) total babe named Charmaine Champagne (if you couldn’t figure it out by the title). The verse is a raunchy 1-4-5 blues-rock shuffle with a salacious solo the second time around by either a sax that wants to be a synthesizer, or vice versa. I feel like it’s the latter. The chorus develops into a sunny melody that mimics the singer’s fond praise for Charmaine.

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Progressing through the album there are constant reminders of the quirky mesh of sounds that define the band without the listener becoming subject to a bland unwavering album where every song sounds like a continuation of the previous one.

The most enjoyable song on the album is “Lost at Sea” which has a simple chord progression reminiscent of the Velvet Underground. Yet at the same time the track has a full sound made up of piano and complementary guitar which leaves you feeling like you were in the mixing booth admiring as the song progresses from an embryonic idea to a powerfully produced track. What’s more, the track is hardcore evidence that indie-rock is the rightful heir to all the 1960′s bands and classic rock jams that I grew up listening to before I tuned into music from my own era.

This element leads into what I like most about the Fiery Furnaces: it’s not just their use of different styles, but where they go with them. I’m Going Away seems to create a pleasantly pensive yet playful duality. This is an album that is fun enough so that you can either party to 1:00 a.m. on a Thursday night while coveting your last six pack of PBR (we are talking about a Brooklyn band after all) or ponder love and relationships with a glass of Yellow Tail after a long and taxing day. Whatever it is you do, you’re likely to enjoy it.

[Review by guest contributor Dan Bindschedler.]

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Also: The Fiery Furnaces “Ex-Guru” Video