Y Tabloid - Issue 88 - September 15, 2009 - Y-oman.com

SOUNDClassic Album:LEAN ON METhe Best of Bill WithersSmooth, soulful and engaging. Laconic, righteousand loving. Bill Withers’ contribution to music runsso far and so deep that it is hard to use a fewkey words to sum up the wonderful composersachievements. ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’, ‘Lean OnMe’ and ‘Just The Two Of Us’ are probably theartist’s biggest hits, but the 2005 re-release ofhis 1981 ‘Best Of’ collection delivers a muchricher experience to the listener. Highlights includethe very human recount of ‘Grandma’s Hands’, the bitterly astute ‘Use Me’ and touching ‘Lovely Day’. All writtenand recorded by Withers, with the greatest musos supplying the canvas for his warm vocals and hip rhythms,this album is a delight at any time of the day, in the company of anyone. Although it is especially well suited to thosemore intimate moments with ‘you know who’!The Fiery Furnaces: I’m Going AwayIf there were a dictionary for definitions in contemporary music, then next to the word ‘weird’ would certainlybe the name of New York-based indie-outfit, ‘The Fiery Furnaces’. The same goes for the words ‘experimental’,‘bizarre’ and the term ‘Greek-Orthodox.’ The brother and sister-duo that make up The Fiery Furnaces have longbeen associated with quirkiness, owing to the more-than-unorthodox sound of the band’s previous seven albums.If you expect more of the same from Eleanor and Matthew Friedberger, then you are in for a disappointment withthis album. They should have named the album Greek Un-Orthodox!‘I’m Going Away’ features none of the zany compositions similar to ‘My Dog Was Lost, But Now He’s Found’,nor any whimsical organ-driven blues progressions as heard in the song ‘Benton Harbor Blues.’ Instead theband gives us a straight-laced attempt at seventies-style rock, with the same hyperactive lyrics, but thankfullywithout the usual clash of synthesizers and reverberation that normally breaks-up otherwise pleasant, foottappingmelodies. The album is an absolute delight for those who don’t normally shop for their records at chainmegastores,and ‘I’m Going Away’ is more mature, polished and confident than previous studio releases. Theband has finally found its sound; so let’s hope there is no truth in the title of this impressive album.