The death of Marguerite de Bourgogne (according to the legend).
J. Lécurieux, from La Normandie, by Jules Janin, Paris, 1844.
(Source: archive.org)
Eleanor Friedberger is an often overlooked artist who is one of the lead singers of the eccentric brother/sister band, Fiery Furnaces. She released her solo album, Last Summer, earlier this year. However, I just discovered this wonderful pop gem which is easily more accessible than her work with Fiery Furnaces, which can sometimes leave one scratching their heads (in a good way that is). Friedberger still sings as though she’s half reciting a novel and the other half trying to be melodic; and I love it. Friedberger is eccentric, so if you can accept that, then you’re going to love her.
“My Mistakes” is a perfectly crafted indie pop song that has probably made all the hipsters drop their thick-framed glasses and take a good listen. The video that accompanies the song flashes from what seems to be an old home movie to present day cinematography cleverly displaying how Friedberger has learned from the past by doing the same thing in the present differently. The song ends a bit like the Rolling Stones “Waiting on a Friend” with Friedberger on the steps and an ominous sax solo. And if that wasn’t a dream for hipsters, “Scenes from Bensonhurst” will have them connecting to this album immediately. A hypnotic bass plays throughout the song while Friedberger plays guitar and a distant keyboard sets the tone for this dream pop song, which recites my absolute favorite lyric of the year “his mom went blind with her third baby…oh shit that’s crazy.” Friedberger gets funky with “Roosevelt Island”, which has a sound and bass beat reminiscent of an early 70’s Isaac Hayes song. Friedberger claims “there’s nothing new and that’s nothing bad, it’s just the same” in the song “I Won’t Fall Apart On You Tonight” but then claims she doesn’t know what tomorrow will bring; so much for stability!
I suggest you check out Eleanor Friedberger’s album, Last Summer. It’s much more accessible than her work with her brother, Matthew Friedberger, and a very delightful listen that made us all fuzzy inside!
Artist: Eleanor Friedberger
Album: Last Summer
