by NICK WIMMER and DAVID KERN
ALBUM: Inside the Human Body
RELEASE DATE: Now Available
www.ezrafurman.com
VIEW #1:
Hailing from nowhere and everywhere, the down-home, roots-rock sound of conglomerate Harpoons and front man Ezra Furman is deliciously simple—maybe too simple. Reminiscent of Waits (Rain Dogs era), Bowie and a sprinkle of Dylan; Furman and Co. create a gritty mish-mash of songs on their third release, Inside the Human Body.
At first glance, the group gives a turbulent, entertaining listen with Furman’s vocals dancing off-beat and off-key in perfect folk-rock style. Impressions such as “Take off Your Sunglasses” and “The Worm in The Apple” give an air of intelligence and angst to the otherwise simple movements of the record. But with each song’s attempt to open the room a little more, I still find myself standing in an unfurnished apartment. As far as folk-rock-roots revivalists go, Furman and the Harpoons do bring a fresh, young sound—but after the dust has cleared, I am still left wanting more.
-Nick Wimmer
NICK’s rating: 7.0
VIEW #2:
Last year, 21-year-old New Englander Ezra Furman and his folk rock outfit, The Harpoons, delivered a stunning sophomore effort. Banging Down the Doors received much critical acclaim— at least from the critics who took the time to listen. To many of those who did pay attention, Doors was one of the best albums of the year, what with Furman’s playful, howler of a vocal delivery - one part pitch-less Dylan, one part early Femmes - and his frantic, wandering, but always sincere songwriting.
This year, Furman and Co. (now one member less and a year older) offer their third album, Inside the Human Body. Still replete with the same delicious, playful stylings, this album is a new step in the band’s evolution. Lyrically, the album is a composite of serious minded issues and ideas wrapped in the wax paper of hysterical (in the many senses of the word) images and metaphors. See, the rousing “Faceless Boy.” Once again, the songs are full of confrontation, vigor and some sort of combination of rage and compassion. Furman proved on Doors that he boasts a great ability to word-play with the best of ‘em and that skill is just as evident here, if not more refined.
Speaking of refinement— when it comes to the sounds, the album takes a small step away from the mid-60’s Dylan that so clearly influenced Doors and instead meanders towards the sounds of late 70’s, especially punk. This is more Femmes than Bob. Album starter “We Should Fight” is pure Furman, all energy and sweat and throat, and both “Take Off Your Sunglasses” and “The Dishwasher” are full of scaled back aggression. Where Banging Down the Doors showed very little restraint (and was the better for it) Inside the Human Body shows a great deal more than many critics likely imagined the group had in it. This album is certainly shorter. Does that make it better? Not necessarily, but its still one of the best records of 2008.
- David Kern
David’s rating: 9.0
November 9th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Nice edit, David:)