Blueberry Boat
by The Fiery Furnaces
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 74 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 62 out of 74
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 74
  3. Negative: 7 out of 74

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  1. finulanu
    Jul 22, 2011
    9
    Brilliantly unpredictable, smart, ever-shifting pop. What could've been post-modern "I'm-so-clever" crap instead becomes one of the best and most successfully ambitious pop albums I've ever heard. The five "operas" are great, and short, charming songs like "My Dog Was Lost But Now He's Found" and "Birdie Brain" make this utterly charming.
  2. DavidV
    Jul 21, 2007
    9
    Not an easy album to listen to at first, but very rewarding and very good from start to finish. My personal favorites: Quay Cur, Blueberrry Boat, Chris Michaels, I Lost My Dog and Bird Brain.
  3. CameronW
    Dec 9, 2005
    10
    This album gets better with every listen, and if you're able to invest the time I'd say anyone could love this album (I mean, if you're willing to and you like the general sound of it). Definitely my favourite of 2004!
  4. LouisF
    Oct 24, 2005
    9
    I must first say that this record just doesn't know when to stop, which can be a bad thing. Not that the TRACKS are too long, but that songs 9 to 12 should have been left for another occasion. The problem with these is that they don't belong in the Blueberry Boat. 1917 would make a great opener for another album, exposing the excessively weird side as well as the poignancy of I must first say that this record just doesn't know when to stop, which can be a bad thing. Not that the TRACKS are too long, but that songs 9 to 12 should have been left for another occasion. The problem with these is that they don't belong in the Blueberry Boat. 1917 would make a great opener for another album, exposing the excessively weird side as well as the poignancy of the Furnaces ; but by track 10, I think we got that. I would take Spaniolated anytime as a B-side, but here it just feels underdeveloped and out of sequence. Birdie Brain/Turning Round would have made a fine closer, but no!, they are in fact a pre-closer, the real one being Wolf Notes, which is also appropriate. In fact, this album is one of the rare ones to let you choose your own closer. Other than that, the first ~50 minutes of this record are simply a blast. It rocks you, teases you, laughs at you sometimes but mostly grips you with its unrelenting dynamics, sometimes poignant, more often quirky compositions, and stomps you under its flow of ideas. Thing is, the point is made after Chief Inspector Blancheflower (my personal favorite). The latter portion just feels like a chore. Wrapping up with Wolf Notes right away would have been a good choice, leaving more for the next time. Otherwise, this album is a great trip.… Expand
  5. GaryD
    Oct 24, 2005
    1
    Perhaps the worst "critically-acclaimed" album ever. EVER!Pitchfork: you deserve a good beating for making me listen to this drivel!
  6. BernardA
    Oct 12, 2005
    8
    After a year of hearing how great this is from every webzine from Pitchfork to Tiny Mix tapes I think that this an example of the music press going overboard in praising a merely good record. Yes it does sound different from most music released today but some of the songs have too much annoying keyboard blurts. I really liked the title track, Straight Street, My Dog Was Lost, Chris After a year of hearing how great this is from every webzine from Pitchfork to Tiny Mix tapes I think that this an example of the music press going overboard in praising a merely good record. Yes it does sound different from most music released today but some of the songs have too much annoying keyboard blurts. I really liked the title track, Straight Street, My Dog Was Lost, Chris Michaels & Chief Inspector Blancheflower. Overall, a good effort but not so great that it would lead a reviewer from Pitchfork to write that anyone who doesn't like this has no taste.… Expand
  7. IanC
    Sep 25, 2005
    10
    What might discourage listeners whose interest "Blueberry Boat" has sparked is that they think it's going to be impenetrable and only admired conceptually by its praisers, but this could not be further from the case. If you're not interested in 50+ of the best-crafted song sections of all-time, though, then stay far, far away from this record. As to it being impossibly What might discourage listeners whose interest "Blueberry Boat" has sparked is that they think it's going to be impenetrable and only admired conceptually by its praisers, but this could not be further from the case. If you're not interested in 50+ of the best-crafted song sections of all-time, though, then stay far, far away from this record. As to it being impossibly challenging -- if a 14-year-old can get it, so can you.… Expand
  8. JackS
    Jul 8, 2005
    10
    I'm sure the critics of the popular, widely circulated publications like NME, The Guardian and Rolling Stone, Blender, Spin felt their livelyhood threatened when this shining gem of an album landed on their collective desks. It's not a challenging record at all. It's just good music, pure and simple. For the first time in ages, the music and the words actually reflect each I'm sure the critics of the popular, widely circulated publications like NME, The Guardian and Rolling Stone, Blender, Spin felt their livelyhood threatened when this shining gem of an album landed on their collective desks. It's not a challenging record at all. It's just good music, pure and simple. For the first time in ages, the music and the words actually reflect each other. Listen to the singer search for her dog and as she goes from place to place the music itself changes to suit the lyrics, gospel finish for when she finds her dog(god), the rushing everchanging sound mirroring the dash about town perfectly. And that's just the start, every song coincides with it's narration completely. When a singing about a child with ADD, the back up vocals are high pitched and almost taunting, while the guitar spasms back and forth like a kid who cannot learn would in a seat. A song that rallies against technology assaults the senses with an overwhelming bombardment of synths threateing to destroy the singer in it's competition for the listener's attention. Granted it requires a person to put the lyrics to the music for the whole, I can assure you, it's worth the two braincells it requires.… Expand
  9. BenW
    Jun 20, 2005
    10
    An album that you may be unsure of at first, but with repeat listenings, you'll discover how beautiful and intricate it truly is. One of the best albums to be released in a long while.
  10. PepeI
    May 9, 2005
    9
    I just love it, when it doesnt' produce me a headache
  11. KevinK
    Apr 15, 2005
    9
    This is an amazing album--one of the most dynamic albums I've ever heard. "Indie Rock Opera" as a genre doesn't do this album justice. Yes, some songs are long (9-10min), but they have so much "going on" that it's well worth it. There is nothing else like this album out there. Like Sigur Ros's "Agaetis Byrjun", it defines it's own genre. I highly recommend it.
  12. JohnnyR
    Mar 28, 2005
    5
    Some nice moments. The girl, however witty a lyricist, is a cloying singer. One of the dumbest, cheesiest voices out of the indie scene. Yikes!
  13. NicholasB
    Mar 6, 2005
    10
    The critic at Spin magazine that called this record joyless needs to either give me his job or get off the ritalin. How blind can you be? This is the most fun and joyous record of 2004.
  14. HarryR
    Mar 4, 2005
    10
    It's a sad day when ambition and winsomeness is regarded as "difficult" or "pretentious". I can't remember the last time I listened to a record that flat out knocked me on my ass like this one did. A masterpiece.
  15. Thedude
    Jan 27, 2005
    10
    People are idiots. If you don't like this album, I do not like you. Its not a matter of good taste anymore. If you can't handle the greatness of this album, the sweeping orchestral sections and crushing guitar, you have bad taste in music. Thats all there is to it. Enjoy your Britney Spears CD, Fiery Furnaces-hater.
  16. JohnJ
    Jan 27, 2005
    10
    Beautiful, complex, awesome. Like scotch, Blueberry Boat is an aquired taste. But once you have a taste for it, there is nothing like it. Wow.
  17. AdamS
    Jan 23, 2005
    2
    Can't believe this schtick has been rated so high everywhere. Just when you thought music critics could be trusted...
  18. MichaelT
    Jan 20, 2005
    9
    Easily my favorite album. If you're a fan of experimental stuff, this is album is for you. Pretentious? Hardly. It's called moving music into another direction. Innovation. "Blueberry Boat" is not your normal rock album. The lyrics are very light hearted and sounds are extremely enjoyable. I don't know if you can call this "rock". Simply for the reason that "Blueberry Boat" Easily my favorite album. If you're a fan of experimental stuff, this is album is for you. Pretentious? Hardly. It's called moving music into another direction. Innovation. "Blueberry Boat" is not your normal rock album. The lyrics are very light hearted and sounds are extremely enjoyable. I don't know if you can call this "rock". Simply for the reason that "Blueberry Boat" infuses many different genres into a single excellent album.… Expand
  19. JonathanM
    Jan 16, 2005
    10
    This is by far my favorite album of 2004. Elliott Smith, Futureheads and all that other 'criticaly acclaimed' stuff included. I liked most of them. I'm annoyed that The Fiery Furnaces get such a bad rap. I cant imagine anyone listening to the entire album of Blueberry Boat hating it. It's just such a superb album. I love listening to this album. I get distressed when This is by far my favorite album of 2004. Elliott Smith, Futureheads and all that other 'criticaly acclaimed' stuff included. I liked most of them. I'm annoyed that The Fiery Furnaces get such a bad rap. I cant imagine anyone listening to the entire album of Blueberry Boat hating it. It's just such a superb album. I love listening to this album. I get distressed when people merely dismiss it as " utter garbage designed to make stupid people who buy into it feel smart." I don't consider myself that stupid, and I don't pretend to feel smart after listening to Blueberry Boat. Alot of modern day listeners dismiss everything experimental as 'pretentious' because it doesn't appeal to their ideals of beautiful music. I could go into long paragraphs about why I think this album is worth listening to, but I won't because I'm lazy as sin. What I am going to say is I enjoy this album, and anyone who enjoys good joyous music that they can easily get lost in will probably also enjoy this album. Blueberry Boat is a gem that will probably be ignored because it's dimissed as pretentious bull dung that only artsy college kids will buy in too. It's not. Blueberry Boat is delightful. Just give it a chance.… Expand
  20. WillD
    Jan 10, 2005
    4
    I'm not a fan of extreemly experimental stuff, so the only moments that shine through to me are when they turn off the noise machenes and play real instruments. Unfortunately, to get to that point, you must wade through long electric intermissions that don't do much for me as music.
  21. [Anonymous]
    Jan 5, 2005
    0
    pretentious gimmick
  22. JoeyS
    Dec 24, 2004
    10
    my favorite of the year...takes you away to another world. something for everyone, it's a rock epic.
  23. JessicaG
    Dec 18, 2004
    10
    At first glance "Blueberry Boat" a 76 minute album whose title track is a nine minute epic that features forays into glitchy electronica and bluesy slide guitar and classical piano, topped by lyrics in which the lead singer attempts to fend off pirates who are viciously after a precious cargo of blueberries may seem like a challenging or to say the least abusrd listen. But it is this At first glance "Blueberry Boat" a 76 minute album whose title track is a nine minute epic that features forays into glitchy electronica and bluesy slide guitar and classical piano, topped by lyrics in which the lead singer attempts to fend off pirates who are viciously after a precious cargo of blueberries may seem like a challenging or to say the least abusrd listen. But it is this absurdly quirky sensibility which precisely makes this album so rewarding and certainly the best of the year. "Blueberry" is a stellar effort which not only challenges your conception of what music can sound like, but what music can be. … Expand
  24. JackM
    Dec 3, 2004
    0
    AWFUL. AWFUL. AWFUL. Pretentious crap... there isn't a single full song and the lyrics are nonsensical. This is utter garbage designed to make stupid people who buy into it feel smart.
  25. JamesS
    Nov 23, 2004
    10
    No, Blueberry Boat is not "...disjointed, ...unintelligible, ...unlistenable, ...unbearable" and whatever else has been thrown at it by criticism patently impatient by half. And above all it is not self-indulgent. Rather The Fiery Furnaces second effort is exhilarating, breathtaking, complex, musically intelligent and most of all courageous. It is unsurprising critics who have The Strokes No, Blueberry Boat is not "...disjointed, ...unintelligible, ...unlistenable, ...unbearable" and whatever else has been thrown at it by criticism patently impatient by half. And above all it is not self-indulgent. Rather The Fiery Furnaces second effort is exhilarating, breathtaking, complex, musically intelligent and most of all courageous. It is unsurprising critics who have The Strokes pedestrian second effort in the best of lists of 2003 wouldn't and couldn't have the attention span to cope with this. The best album of 2004 - in a year for awesome releases.… Expand
  26. EddieT
    Oct 8, 2004
    10
    This is unquestionably my favorite album of the year so far. Like Lambchop's "Is a Woman" in 2002, I despised it at first and banished it from my CD player. Six weeks later I was stopping work to remember the words when they are talking to each other in "Chief Inspector Blancheflower." Look: my point is that everything is really, really catchy and memorable and fun once you make a This is unquestionably my favorite album of the year so far. Like Lambchop's "Is a Woman" in 2002, I despised it at first and banished it from my CD player. Six weeks later I was stopping work to remember the words when they are talking to each other in "Chief Inspector Blancheflower." Look: my point is that everything is really, really catchy and memorable and fun once you make a small effort with it. It is a grower.… Expand
  27. brianm
    Oct 1, 2004
    0
    how is this the best album of 2004? it doesn't even have an actual song
  28. du&sku
    Sep 30, 2004
    7
    Blueberry Boat is a challenging rough draft of a better record. It's the music equivalent of a 3 hour home-made student movie by a couple of bright, idealistic college kids. When it works, it's more inspired and more compelling than just about any other music made this year. It's clear why the album opens with the 1-2-3 punch of "Quay Cur", "Straight Street", and "Blueberry Blueberry Boat is a challenging rough draft of a better record. It's the music equivalent of a 3 hour home-made student movie by a couple of bright, idealistic college kids. When it works, it's more inspired and more compelling than just about any other music made this year. It's clear why the album opens with the 1-2-3 punch of "Quay Cur", "Straight Street", and "Blueberry Boat"; not only are these the three tracks on the record that most resemble actual songs , they have received their best hooks and their most inspired sonic explorations. Comparatively, the rest goes downhill, as the band devolves into random idea mode, making the tracks resemble medleys more than songs. The tracks get less great ideas, the sonic experimentations get less interesting, and they rely on random-note guitar solos to fill a lot of the empty space. "I Lost My Dog" and "Chief Inspector Blancheflower" liven the latter album a bit, but overall, the group could have standed to shed a few of their lesser ideas and had a more cherishable listening experience. … Expand
  29. wackyman
    Sep 27, 2004
    10
    The most original album of 2004 with ease, I just don't understand some critics, well everybody has a free opinion,no
  30. NeilD
    Sep 16, 2004
    9
    One of the best releases this year. What are the critics thinking?
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Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Most Discussed Album of 2004
54
#54 Most Shared Album of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 34
  3. Negative: 3 out of 34
  1. Splendid
    70
    This is a big, sprawling, difficult but rewarding album, from a band whose reach exceeds its grasp, but only by a little.
    Read full review
  2. Under The Radar
    90
    This is pop music, filtered through the minds, hands and voices of two artists whose vision reaches beyond the bounds of the form. [#7]
  3. Playlouder
    50
    Blueberry Boat is a frustrating, niggling, great idea of a record.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »