Fiery Furnaces Switch Label For New Record
by Staff | 00.00.0000

A new Fiery Furnaces album is a wonderful thing. And if you don't know why, we're here to tell you. The Fiery Furnaces, a brother-sister duo hailing from Chicago and now ensconced in New York City, are true chameleons. They're playful, twisted, adventurous, entertaining, daring and completely unique. Listening to a Fiery Furnaces record, with all of its elaborate lyrical themes, musical twists and intricate production, is a special experience.

From their very first release in 2003, the much lauded Gallowsbird's Bark to the fan favorite Blueberry Boat and the quick-shot EP then the curious and thrilling ode to their grandmother, last year's Rehearsing My Choir, the band have made a significant impact with music fans.

The duo's new effort Bitter Tea (to be released on their new label Fat Possum Records) was recorded at the same time as Rehearsing My Choir, the album made with their 82 year old grandmother on vocal duties, and one which tracked the story of her life in a series of inventive vignettes. Bitter Tea, however, has an even wider appeal.

Or, as Matt has put it: "Bitter Tea is a very girly record. The granddaughter record, as opposed to the grandmother record." The Friedbergers describe this album as "Sissy Psychedelic Satanism." Their reference points range from Devo to tack-piano and an imagined granddaughter1s pre-adolescently playful take on Black Sabbath - replete with backwards vocals. It's also a return to a fuller, more band-oriented sound. Matt Friedberger says he believes his little sister to be "The finest lady vocalist in Rock-n-Roll for the past twenty-five years". She may well be.

Bitter Tea was recorded in Benton Harbour Michigan in 2005 and was written & produced by Matt Friedberger. Matthew played all instrumentation apart from drums. Eleanor sang and played some drums. Additional drum work comes courtesy of Andy Knowles. The Fiery Furnaces are on tour through February. They will be performing at this year's SXSW Music Convention.