While I’m a bit sad at the uncertain future of The Fiery Furnaces that Eleanor alludes to here, I love her solo work and am very excited for this album. The world can always use more Eleanor Friedberger!

Geez, Stereogum. Way to rain on my black parade…

I’m loving the song, and I love Eleanor to pieces, but what I’d really like (pretty please!) is a new Fiery Furnaces album.

I saw them open for the Dodos as Reading Rainbow and was blown away by how tight they were as a two-piece (they were better than the Dodos, in fact.) If the new album sounds anything like “Pink Ruff” then count me in.

It’s interesting that you mention Coldplay because I feel like there is an interesting parallel between them and Radiohead aside from the obvious similarity to their early sound. Both bands were potential one-hit-wonders with “Creep” and “Yellow”, and then both followed up their first records with brilliant sophomore albums. Each of their respective sophomore albums have two huge singles that are also somewhat similar in composition: “High and Dry” is to “Clocks” as “Fake Plastic Trees” is to “The Scientist.”

But this is where they differ, and why OK Computer was such an important record. Instead of taking the formula as represented by their 3 big singles and repeating it to death, a la Coldplay, Radiohead goes and makes OK Computer. And although there are certainly more rock-oriented elements on OK Computer, it was the beginning of a series of continual reinventions that is what makes them one of the most interesting bands of the last 20 years.

And as for Coldplay, well, they became a very solid example of exactly what it means to sell out.

Instructions:
1. Clear calendar.
2. Clear room.
3. Lie down.
4. Turn off lights.
5. Turn up volume.
6. Ascend.
7. Repeat.

It’s nice to see some LOVE for EVOL. That was where I lost my SY virginity and for that reason it will always be my number one, even if the others consistently shift around depending on my sonic mood.