The Personal Record Of Eleanor Friedberger

Eleanor Friedberger’s solo albums are so weird. They’re weird because they frankly aren’t that weird at all. Friedberger is the singer of The Fiery Furnaces, sharing songwriting duties with her brother Matt.

Her last record, 2011’s Last Summer, was a breezy, smart, deeply felt breakup album, as if Joni Mitchell were produced by Paul McCartney.




Her new album, Personal Record, is even better. Personal Record is in many ways a straight-ahead rock album. The guitar sounds like Elvis Costello, the keys sound like Warren Zevon, and Friedberger’s voice sounds like a straight-laced Patti Smith.

Standout song “Stare at the Sun” (above) was released as a single a few months ago but finds new life in the context of the album. “Stare at the Sun” sounds more vital than ever, and the lyrics’ will-they-won’t-they restlessness suddenly seem like a last-ditch grab at a happiness that seems more and more elusive every year. MORE HERE

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