Eleanor Friedberger
Country of origin:
U.S.
Type of music generally:
Alternative indie pop
Status:
Most recent release, Rebound (2018)
See also:
Eleanor Friedberger's siteWikipedia's entry on Eleanor Friedberger
The EctoGuide's entry for her band with her brother, Fiery Furnaces
Comparisons:
Somewhat like more accessible Fiery Furnaces
Covers/own material:
Own
General comments:
Eleanor Friedberger's debut album proves that she's just as good on her own as she is with her brother. (JoAnn Whetsell)
Recommended first album:
Last Summer
Recordings:
- Last Summer (2011)
- Personal Record (2013)
- New View (2016)
- Rebound (2018)
Last Summer
Release info:
2011—Merge Records
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Eleanor Friedberger—guitar, harmonica, keys, percussion, vocals
Guest artists:
Eric Broucek—bass, guitar, keys, percussion
Dylan Heaney—tenor sax
Jim Orso—drums
Phil Rodriguez—trumpet
Tim Traynor—drums
Morgan Wiley—keys
Produced by:
Eric Broucek
Comments:
Love this album. It's fabulous indie pop, more accessible than the Fiery Furnaces' work but still off the beaten path. Also, if you're familiar with New York City it's fun recognizing the places where the songs take place. Check out "Roosevelt Island" and its terrific bass line. (JoAnn Whetsell)I'm of two minds about this album. It took a while to grow on me, then for a while I liked it a lot, and then I got a little tired of parts of it. I still think there's some great material on it, though! And my husband has loved it from the moment he heard it and still does, so you may, too. (Neile)
Personal Record
Release info:
2013—Merge Records—MRG447
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Eleanor Friedberger—guitar, keys, percussion, vocals
Guest artists:
Matt Asti—bass, guitar
Eric Broucek—bass, guitar, keys, percussion
John Eatherly—guitar
Robbie Lee—woodwinds
Jim Orso—drums
Abe Seiferth—guitar
Morgan Wiley—keys
Produced by:
Eric Broucek
Comments:
Another album with a retro feel. "She's a Mirror" particularly recalls Hall & Oates. I don't like this quite as much as her debut Last Summer, but I do like it more than enough to recommend it. (JoAnn Whetsell)
New View
Release info:
2016—FrenchKiss Records—FKR080-2
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Eleanor Friedberger
Guest artists:
Noah Hecht—drums, percussion, vocals
Malcolm Perkins—acoustic guitar, electric guitar, vocals
Jonathan Rosen—bass, vocals
Michael Rosen—piano, organ, synthesizer
Dorian DeAngelo—additional electric guitar
Produced by:
Eleanor Friedberger and Clemens Knieper
Comments:
More smart indie pop. More offbeat goodness that I can't describe well and references that I can't quite name (60s music in some places, definitely). If you liked either of her first two solo albums, you'll like this one as well. (JoAnn Whetsell)
Further info:
Compilation work includes:
- "Santa, Bring My Baby Back (to Me)" on Holidays Rule (2012)
- "Come Down" on the Space Ducks soundtrack (2012)
Thanks to JoAnn Whetsell for work on this entry.
