In September Langhorne Slim was in town staying with drummer Malachi DeLorenzo for a few days before heading out on tour supporting their fantastic new album, Be Set Free. We previously shared “Land of Dreams,” the first installment of our multiple part video series that we were fortunate to capture in between radio appearances and a performance at the Exclusive Co. This time through, we’ve got the title track, “Be Set Free.” Enjoy!

Previously: Muzzle of Bees Video: Langhorne Slim – “Land of Dreams”

Buy: Langhorne Slim – “Be Set Free”
Video/Edit: Erik Ljung

We’re quite fond of Dr. Dog. Their 2008 release, Fate, made our list of favorites last year. As much as I love their records, seeing them live is even better. Their opening set before Wilco’s 2007 show at the Overture Hall in Madison remains a highlight amongst the three times I’ve seen these guys live.

I’m happy to report they’ve planned two Wisconsin stops in 2010. The first at Turner Hall Ballroom in Milwaukee on Thursday, February 4th. The second at the High Noon Saloon on Friday, February 5th. Both shows feature The Growlers as support.

Buy: Dr. Dog
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Myspace: Dr. Dog
MP3: Dr. Dog – “The Old Days”
MP3: Dr. Dog – “The Ark”
MP3: Dr. Dog – “Worst Trip”
MP3: Dr. Dog – “Ain’t It Strange”
MP3: Dr. Dog – “Easy Beat”

By Tyler Fassnacht

The Fiery Furnaces were formed in 2000 by two siblings. Eleanor sings, Matthew plays music and together, over the course of seven albums, they have written some of the most experimental music in addition to some of the poppiest music I have ever. In preparation for their upcoming shows in Milwaukee on Thursday at Turner Hall and in Madison on Friday at the Majestic, I would like to share some personal highlights from their catalogue.

The Fiery Furnaces garnered attention with their first album, Gallowsbird’s Bark, which was grouped in with the garage rock fad of the early 2000’s. The furnaces kept this album fairly raw and bluesy sounding. A standout track from this record is “Leaky Tunnel,” which blends the signature sound that the Fiery Furnaces would develop in their career with an almost 60’s pyschadelic rock instrumentation. It is also a good example of the astounding way that Eleanor Friedberger can rattle off words by the mouthful.

The band followed the garage sound with an album of ten-minute epics that had gurgling keyboards, erratic/spazzy guitars and lyrics that were really more like rambles and stories. Blueberry Boat has seen the most mixed reviews of any Fiery Furnaces album, with some people calling it unlistenable and others calling it genius. I, personally, am with the second group on this one. To this day I haven’t heard an album like this and the best example of this album’s merit is the opener, “Quay Cur.” Clocking in at 10:25, this song evolves from minimalist electronic, to upbeat rock with galloping guitars, to arpeggiating acoustic and then to a reprise of the original theme. It’s an engaging opener to the magnum opus that is Blueberry Boat.

After the experimental enigma that was Blueberry Boat, the band released a collection of B-sides and singles, called EP, that were much more commercially friendly. On the album there is a reworking of a song that was originally on Gallowsbird’s Bark. “Tropical Iceland” is catchy, concise and sweet like candy. With synths reminiscent of Toni Basil’s “Hey Mickey”, and a simple sing a long chorus, it’s hard not to get this song stuck in your head.

In 2005 Rehearsing My Choir was released. This album is a highlight as a whole for diehard fans of the Fiery Furnaces and fans of experimental music alike. The music is good o’le Fiery Furnaces, except the album is narrated by the sibling’s grandmother. Mostly in the form of spoken word, the album tells the story of Olga Sarantos’ life. The album was not received well, but as a project it is really unique and interesting.

After finding a new home on the label Thrill Jockey, the furnaces released Widow City“>Widow City in 2007. The album is approximately an hour in length, without an obvious coherent theme, which makes it difficult to listen to sometimes as a whole, in one sitting. To me, it seems as though roughly a fourth of the album is filler, but the album really has some great tracks that make up for the average ones. One of the powerhouse songs is “Navy Nurse.” With a kickass riff that starts off the song, it trades off between happy organ verses and quick sputtering choruses. This one was even featured in the average Chuck Palahniuk movie adaptation, Choke.

This brings me to their latest album, I’m Going Away, which they are touring on now. The album as a whole, is the most approachable Fiery Furnaces album to date, but the album still doesn’t disappoint. The songs are short, piano filled pop gems and the coincidentally optimistic sounding “The End is Near” is a good example. This song shows a more mellow side to the Fiery Furnaces that we only get to see sporadically across their catalogue.

In their live shows, the Fiery Furnaces change up songs, some almost to a completely different level, so it is something that will keep you on your toes and keep you entertained.

Buy: Fiery Furnaces
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Myspace: The Fiery Furnaces
MP3: The Fiery Furnaces – The End Is Near

Tonight is the official kick off to Milwaukee’s Radio Summer Camp at Turner Hall Ballroom. On bill is the return of Sometime Sweet Susan with support from local favorites Juiper Tar, The Trusty Knife & The Dim Suns.

The festival continues through the weekend in venues throughout the city and showcases some of our favorite bands. Don’t forget to save a little gas in the tank for the Roadside Graves hangover show on Monday!

Milwaukee’s Juniper Tar has been in the studio crafting a future release. You may recall their opening set for A.A. Bondy a few months back. We snuck behind close doors and got an advanced listen to a new track called “Birds in Trees.” We thought we’d share our good fortune and excitement by providing an advanced audio peek of the rough mix below. It sure sounds promising to us. Recommended for fans of Megafaun, The Byrds, or anything with great harmonies. Dig.

MP3: Juniper Tar – “Birds In Trees” (Rough Mix)

Man Man will bring their Rabbit Habits to Milwaukee for a performance at Turner Hall Ballroom on Friday, October 17th. Some of you may remember their last stroll through the state with Yeasayer.

Tickets: $15 / General Admission
On Sale: Friday, August 15th

Previously: From The Crowd | Man Man – “Engwish Bwudd”

Myspace: Man Man

Find more MP3′s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic

I caught Yeasayer during SXSW and later opening for Man Man at the High Noon Saloon in Madison. If you’ve failed to give their debut record All Hour Cymbals some love, please do so immediately.

The Pabst Theater continues to bring quality live performances to Milwaukee with the recent addition of Yeasayer to their Turner Hall Ballroom calendar on Wednesday, October 29th.

In a message from the band’s MGMT, concert goers on this tour are promised “brand new songs” and a “new stage design incorporating projectors, lcd grids, and possibly a weather balloon.” How about that? After the tour, the band will return to the studio to begin working on their second record.

Myspace: Yeasayer
MP3: Yeasayer – “2080″
MP3: Yeasayer – “Sunrise”

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