Eleanor Friedberger is known as a vocalist of the band The Fiery Furnaces. The band released eight albums that were pretty successful in American indie rock scene. After they had decided to go on hiatus, Eleanor started her solo career and released her first solo album Last Summer in 2011. New View is her third studio album. What’s intriguing is that Franz Ferdinand’s songs Anything You Want and Eleanor Put Your Boots On are dedicated to her.
Eleanor has distanced herself from the sound of her band and she stepped into the folk waters. She writes her songs; she plays guitar and piano. Her multi talent is multipresent on her albums. Vocally, she is oriented towards folk expression similar to Josephine Foster and Vashti Bunyan. She said she wanted to sound like she is ok with herself on this album. No pathetic lyrics, no complaining, no fakeness. The name of the album suggests this paradigm shift. On New View She is a grown and mature woman that wants to send a clear message. Songs are really not pretentious. Eleanor does not speak about being right. She is subtle, and she wants to tell you that music is the magical expression that can be beneficial for artists and listeners.
Low key sensual vocal is a subtext of the album. Everything is nonchalant and peaceful. Eleanor is at peace with herself and she does not look for anything that she can’t get. She enjoys being a singer-songwriter. Because I Asked You is a gorgeous folk number in which she talks to herself, to others, and to all the men in her life with the greatest self-confidence. You can notice that new pop-folk sound. Eleanor knows how to balance between genres.
Opening track He Didn’t Mention His Mother is an indicator of matureness and confidence. It is interesting vocally but the lyrics is very critical. Her being ok with herself is definitely clear here.
All Known Things is another easy song. The biggest flaw of the album is that everything sounds so similar. There are no standouts. These are not bad songs. Sweetest Girl, Never Is A Long Time and A Long Walk are solid tracks.
If you want to be at piece with yourself, let Eleanor remind you how.
