The Fiery Furnaces are holding a caucus. In the spirit of the upcoming election, the brother-sister duo, often compared to The White Stripes, are allowing fans to vote for which songs they most want on the Furnaces? next CD. The ” ?On-Line Non-Binding Caucus to Determine the Fiery Furnaces? Next Album” takes place on the band?s Web site.
“The choices are?in the style of Egyptian soap opera music ? sort of like Kashmir but sped up or Gershwin imitations with found material as lyrics,” said Matt Friedberger, who developed the caucus with his sister/band mate Eleanor. “We are just trying to get into the excitement of the polls; this is just to have fun.”
Those who know the sound of The Fiery Furnaces likely aren?t surprised that the Brooklyn-based indie rockers could successfully play two such different genres and make them work. Their top-notch playing and curious experimentation is what has built the Furnaces? devoted fan base since its 2003 debut album “Gallowbird?s Bark.” The band?s work has won critical acclaim from media as divergent as The New York Times to Pitchfork.
The current “Roll The Dice/Leap of Faith Tour” may seem “all things politics” but Friedberger contends that concertgoers won?t be subjected to political preaching.
“Who wants to hear a band make all these political statements?” said Friedberger, the band?s musical mastermind who plays all instruments except drums. “I have very strong political preferences and you shouldn?t shy away from those, but the “Please Remember to Vote” rallies seem so lame.”
Those who hear the quartet will instead hear new but “recognizable” versions of the Fiery Furnaces? favorites and plenty of surprises.
“The Fiery Furnaces put on one of the most rewarding, engaging and singular rock shows you are likely to see,” said PopMatters about a show last month in Toronto.
With all the political spirit, a wide range of music that goes from rock to blues and beyond, and an energetic stage show, it?s hard to imagine otherwise. The band This is no band that stays in its safe zone.
“It?s true,” he said. “We are always looking to roll the dice.”
IF YOU GO
The Fiery Furnaces with The Oranges Band
Venue: The Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St., Baltimore
When: 10 p.m. Friday
Tickets: $12
