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June 10, 2009

New Fiery Furnaces - "The End is Near" (Stereogum Premiere)

thubmnail icon: New Fiery Furnaces - "The End is Near" (Stereogum Premiere)

When we reported on the ever productive, conceptually minded Fiery Furnaces forthcoming eighth album I'm Going Away, we passed along Eleanor and Matt's essential Taxi vs. Titanic theories, noted the 12-song collection was recorded and mixed by Sebadoh's Jason Loewenstein (who also played bass on it), and passed along the label's description of the dozen songs as "'70s sunshine-glazed piano pop, filled with cascading note slides, head-nodding grooves." We couldn't confirm or deny anything at that point, and though I'm not one to use the words "head-nodding grooves," they really weren't lying. At all. See for yourself with the bouncy, faux-inspirational piano-woven sing-along "The End Is Near." It's akin to Mr. Rogers doing Gallowsbird Bark, a doomed Lady Elaine in tote.

The Fiery Furnaces - "The End Is Near" (MP3)

"The End Is Near" single is out 6/23 on 12" vinyl and digitally, and it comes with non-album tracks "Teddy's On Kent" and an alternate version of "Charmaine Champagne." The I'm Going Away LP is out 7/21 via Thrill Jockey.

Posted at 9:43 AM by brandon in
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12 Comments

wow! sounds great! where do we listen to whole record? love the new direction!

Posted by: Corduroy Knickers at 06/10/09 11:40 AM  | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

On the strength of that Carpenter charming video promo from a little while ago and this theme song, they really should be some sort neo Norman Lear show. I never really got to see "Fernwood 2 Nite" or "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman" but I always liked the idea of it...

Posted by: Dead Letter Office at 06/10/09 12:07 PM  | Reply
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Very impressed with this new direction, can't wait to see them twice in Chicago in July!

Posted by: 1917 at 06/10/09 1:13 PM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

This is the least interesting thing I've ever heard from them...seems they're trying to emphasize their twee-pop-ness with this record? God, I hope not.

Posted by: Daniel at 06/10/09 2:29 PM  | Reply
Score = -3 Vote up Vote down

I like it. I stayed at the same hotel as these two once.

"That looks like the dude from the fiery furnaces. That brown van with NYC plates looks like a tour van. Nah. Probably just a coincidence..."

SImple, and still interesting at least in contrast, given what they've done on other albums. Should have said 'hello'! : )

Posted by: Bobby at 06/10/09 8:42 PM  | Reply
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I like it. I stayed at the same hotel as these two once.

"That looks like the dude from the fiery furnaces. That brown van with NYC plates looks like a tour van. Nah. Probably just a coincidence..."

SImple, and still interesting at least in contrast, given what they've done on other albums. Should have said 'hello'! : )

Posted by: Bobby at 06/10/09 8:42 PM  | Reply
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yup this is real good, diggin the 70's vibe

Posted by: frozenaisle profile link at 06/10/09 11:39 PM  | Reply
Score = -1 Vote up Vote down

This is the best track i have heard from them in a long time. I'm really digging this. I had started to write them off as going down a "weird for the sake of wierd" route with thier last album being as over the top and almost unlistenable as it was, but this track is solid and very catchy. I'm hoping the album is a return for them. Havent enjoyed a furnaces album since EP.

Posted by: Brian at 06/11/09 12:38 AM  | Reply
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I'm always excited for a new Fiery Furnaces album. Widow City was great, and enjoy what I've heard of thsi so far.

Posted by: Jack at 06/11/09 8:28 AM  | Reply
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I love them. First show my bf and I went to see together. Hoping for Toronto date in the near future...

Posted by: Clayton at 06/11/09 9:45 AM  | Reply
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So good! this is great! *is excited*

Posted by: stanz at 06/19/09 12:14 AM  | Reply
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Never hear of the group until I heard this song on Sirius/XMU, love it

Posted by: Alexander Corey profile link at 07/11/09 6:11 PM  | Reply
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