There's a moment on Mysterious Power when you realize that this isn't the Ezra Furman you know, the clever but sometimes too-jokey troubadour whose whine too often overwhelms his roar. It happens on the third track, "Hard Time in a Terrible Land," when Ezra and the Harpoons cast all notions of indie propriety aside and rock out with abandon. There are no trappings of irony here. Instead, Mysterious Power is a deeply felt set of songs, alternatively tender and ferocious, that reveal a songwriter and band at the height of their powers.
Consequence of Sound is proud to present a performance-based video series called Off the Avenue. Each week, we'll be posting new videos of bands performing live at North Avenue Studios in Orange City, FL. In today's episode, Ezra Furman performs "Queen of Hearts" from his recently-released solo debut, The Year of No Returning . In case you missed it, watch Furman's performance of "American Soil" here .
Consequence of Sound is proud to present a performance-based video series called Off the Avenue. Each week, we'll be posting new videos of bands performing live at North Avenue Studios in Orange City, FL. In today's episode, Ezra Furman performs "American Soil" from his recently-released solo debut, The Year of No Returning .
Last month - that's March, if you're out of the loop - festival season officially ignited. As such, our feet shuffled away from the desks and into the sun and sweat. We were everywhere that had a festival: Cypress Hill Smokeout in San Bernardino, CA; Orange You Glad Festival in Orlando, FL; South by Southwest in Austin, TX; and Ultra Music Festival in Miami, FL. Then there were the dozens of tours that came through our respective hometowns, too. It would be pretty asinine to collate all of that excitement into just [...]
(Photo: Stephanie Bassos) Margot & The Nuclear So and So's released their fifth disc, Rot Gut, Domestic , last month which was Nukes' rawest take on their evocative, soaring brand of guitar-centric pop. Singer/songwriter Richard Edwards wrote Rot Gut, Domestic over 26 days in Pismo Beach, CA last spring. Plagued by chronic stomach pain, he'd headed to Pismo Beach - which had become a somewhat mythical place for the band, a respite of calm and healing where they'd somehow always been drawn - following the last days of the [...]
A picture tells a thousand words, right? They also help capture a thousand bands, and for an event like Austin, TX's South by Southwest , a camera isn't an added incentive, it's a necessity. Last week, several of our photographers hit the bustling streets and furious venues, capturing the talent both young and old. For reference, you should know that a day at SXSW begins at 10 a.m. and doesn't stop until sometime between the hours of two or six in the morning. Yeah, that's a lot of footage. So, if you couldn't make it down to Texas, take a [...]
With only a week and some change to go, Consequence of Sound is proud to announce its official South by Southwest showcase for Wednesday, March 14th. Taking place at The Jr. (formerly Emo's, Jr.), Philadelphia rockers Free Energy and the legendary Thomas Dolby will headline an exciting bill that includes Emily Wells, Ezra Furman, Hey Marseilles, and Miracles of Modern Science. The showcase is open to SXSW badge and wristband holders. For more information on each band and the set times, scroll below. Don't forget, hours prior to the showcase, Consequence of Sound [...]
Ezra Furman is a howling freight train. With a voice that is barbed and beautiful, Furman pens daring music that is frantic, unhinged, and infectious. Usually known for performing and recording with his backing band, The Harpoons, Furman decided to strike out on his own and release his first debut solo album, Year Of No Returning . Without the thrash of the Harpoons behind him, Furman flung himself into unfamiliar territory to see if he could swim alone - and he can. The album's opener "Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde" is catchy in [...]
SF-via-Chicago folk-rock musician Ezra Furman 's debut solo album The Year of No Returning is now available on Bandcamp. You can stream the adventurous first single (which features baritone sax and clarinet), and four more songs, below: The Year of No Returning // SIDE A // FREE by Ezra Furman In an interview with Paste Magazine, Furman described the album's relaxed recording process in Chicago: "I did it right in the attic I was living in. I would go up and put in some hours. [...]
Seconds into The Year of No Returning , it's clear that Ezra Furman has left behind his last album with backing band The Harpoons . While there are still a few rollicking rock 'n roll numbers like those on Mysterious Power , they're given idiosyncratic twists, and they sit in the midst of completely new territory for the songwriter. He still has the same smirk, the same witty lyrics, the same eye on the dark edges of the world, but the scope of the instrumentals has expanded. Album opener "Dr. Jekyll [...]
We're still two months away from South by Southwest 2012 , but today the schedule for the music portion went live, adding a slew of new names to the bill. Previously confirmed acts include Built to Spill, The Magnetic Fields, Talib Kweli, Against Me!, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Cloud Nothings, and a keynote speech by Bruce Springsteen. Now joining them are Best Coast, M. Ward, of Montreal, ASAP Rocky, Danny Brown, Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire, Dan Deacon, The Polyphonic Spree, The Drums, Astronautalis, Bear In Heaven, Ceremony, Chairlift, Crystal Antlers, Little Boots, Deerhoof, Dragonette, Gossip, Matthew Dear, Miike Snow, SBTRKT, Sharon Van Etten, [...]
Today's selection of free and legal - because: official - downloads.... Cloud Nothings - No Sentiment Cheerleader - Do What You Want Butterflies on Strings - What did John Stuart Mill say again? Blood Ceremony - Children of the Future Church Of Misery - Megalomania (Herbert Mullin) / I, Motherfucker (Ted Bundy) Wavves – Hybrid Moments (Misfits cover) This Is The Now - I Wish I Was A Banker / Famous For Nothing Lee Ranaldo – Off The Wall Ezra Furman – Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde Now, [...]
Up until compiling this list, I was pretty sure 2011 was not a fantastic year for music. Well, I may have been completely wrong. There might not have been giant releases from the most prominent artists of our generation, but this is only because there are no more prominent artists of our generation. The internet and availability of music has made anybody a contender for making a great record, and I believe it has become a complete toss up as to who makes a future classic in any given year. Relax, for this is a good thing. Here's my big [...]
It's not exactly cold in Chicago right now. But, everyone still wears jackets. Don't leave home without it , as the old adage goes. So, things got pretty sweaty at The Hideout last night. Under balmy white Christmas lights, dozens of locals packed the pocketed venue, which seemingly capitalizes on your grandmother's old den. Wood paneling lines the walls, there's a fucking array of knickknacks everywhere, and a DIY banner atop the stage. It's exactly the sort of place that births neighborhood legends. Y'know, like Ezra Furman & The Harpoons . "Can't you imagine this action [...]
After releasing the CoS Top Star-earning Mysterious Power and touring with his band The Harpoons earlier this year, Ezra Furman is putting the final touches on his first solo album, The Year of No Returning. Due out February 7th, the "airy, creaky, dark and vivid" album was recorded with Kickstarter funds at Chicago's Studio Ballistico. According to the band's website , The Year of No Returning is "a departure for sure, but still very much Ezra and very exciting." A tracklist and audio sample are still forthcoming, so stay tuned [...]
There's a lot to love about Ezra Furman. He makes some of the most frantic rock music this side of the Clap Your Hands/Talking Heads line. But that's not the only reason to love him. On his last release, he offered some of his fans the the most exclusive thing a musician can offer a fan...a bonus song. But not just any bonus son. A personal song...written just for them. Each person who
So yeah, finally a day that is not crap. Here's what will help the day get even better. 1. The Generationals- Greenleaf 2. Hooray For Earth- Surrounded by your friends 3. The Pains of Being Pure At Heart- Belong 4. The Powder Kegs- La meriposa 5. Starfucker-Bury us alive 6. Ron Sexsmith-Middle of Love 7. Ezra Furman and the Harpoons- Hard time in a terrible land 8. keep shelly in [...]
Here's a new jawn from the deliriously smart Ezra Furman from the forthcoming album Mysterious Power . "Hard Time In A Terrible Land."
![Ezra Furman & The Harpoons [Artist Review]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/2963276_lg.jpg)
Don't you hate it when music bloggers describe artists by comparing them to other artists? It's such a cop-out. Since I'm not that good of a blogger, I'm going to go ahead and rock out with my cop out. I'd describe Ezra Furman as two parts Gordon Gano from the Violent Femmes, one part Conor Oberst, and one part Ben Kweller stirred up with one of those crazy straws with all of the loops in it and chased with a shot of 5-Hour Energy. We were supposed to do a live session with Ezra a long [...]
Writer/Photographer: Brooks Hays For the second time in one week, I came to a concert with limited knowledge of the headlining act and left mesmerized by their performance and addicted to their tunes. Thursday night, it was Islands doing the wooing; this time, Delta Spirit was the culprit. With their recent release History From Below making serious buzz across the indie rock media machine, I was forced to take notice. And before I had much time to listen to their new record, I jumped on the opportunity [...]
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