User Score
Generally favorable reviews- based on 131 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 105 out of 131
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Mixed: 4 out of 131
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Negative: 22 out of 131
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PaulApr 26, 2006A unique album, worked out better than i expected it to be but overall their least best record.
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SpencerMDec 11, 2005
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SeanTDec 11, 2005it gets a 10 for ingenuity and a 6 for listenability but then again this music is not meant to really enjoy but more so to study and yes there is a place in music for study despite all the people who just like music for dancing.
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DrGoobNov 14, 2005
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JeffKNov 10, 2005This is quite simply the best album of the year. Sure, it's a tad off-putting at first, but the Furnaces have always followed their muse, even into strange territory. But once you get past the initial strangeness of the music, you will be rewarded with one of the most complex and beautiful albums you've ever heard.
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KristofferNov 6, 2005Strangely haunting and very off-limits as far as pop music is concerned. I like.
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harveywNov 1, 2005
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LouisFOct 31, 2005
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EricDOct 30, 2005
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DrewROct 30, 2005The key to "Rehearsing my Choir" is not to approach the album expecting some dancable, friendly indie-pop music. This album is difficult, but considering the Furnaces' catalogue is it that surprising that they've dropped a heady, Joycean, operatic opus on us?
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AdamXOct 29, 2005An album destined to split opinion straight down the middle. I personally find myself adoring this album for it's spirit, vitality and message. It is a perfect late night listen, and an album guaranteed to give a life affirming lesson to those who want to listen. Wonderful.
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humanOct 28, 2005I'm not a fan, but I liked this enough to recosider their previous output....
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BCWOct 28, 2005Slavin' Away is one of the best songs they've ever done, and so is Garfield El, but unlike Blueberry Boat, each song lacks it's own energy that makes it great while simultaneously being unique. Most of the songs just "are".
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RonROct 27, 2005Man, people need to lighten up. Not only is this album incredibly fun (what's the point in life if it's not fun?), and tells a very good story. The music (as chaotic as it can get at times) plays it's role well in setting the mood. Concept albums should never be rated the same as "Pop Hits" albums. This one is very good.
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chriskOct 27, 2005
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AndyH.Oct 27, 2005
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kellymOct 27, 2005i'm not saying that you have to like this album, but to discard it just because you don't get it is a foolish move--there is so much to get out of it. i love it, and to say it is unlistenable, at least to me, is a questionable take as well. this is one of the most engaging and listenable albums i've ever heard.
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RBOct 27, 2005An endlessly rewarding album.
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leekOct 26, 2005
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hilariousbookbinderOct 26, 2005Sublime. Much more indebted to Philip Glass/Robert Wilson, Harry Partch, and Charles Ives than anything rock or pop. I guess as an "indie rock" record it would rate a "42"--trouble is, it's not an "indie rock" record in any way shape or form--so don't be scared, it won't hurt you.
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melissaaOct 26, 2005It was innovative and at times fantastic, but I don't think I'll listen to it exhaustively, the way I do the other three ff albums. Also, their grandmother's voice is nearly unlistenable, masculine and froglike.
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haciendaOct 26, 2005Although I'd concede that this is more an oral history or musical theater project than a pop record, I find it absolutely fascinating. In a sense, the pitchfork review is right to read it in terms of a cultural analysis, but it's also a lot of fun. The bit about the donut maker / doctor is great, as are countless other moments. And there is some music here as well.
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J.CasonOct 26, 2005
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TaylorKOct 25, 2005Few artists can be credited with changing the definition of "Music." The Fiery Furnaces have, and they've done it beautifully.
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MarkOct 25, 2005Sad that this incredibly ambitious and brilliant record now has a metascore lower than Jason Mraz and 311. Screw you, Cokemachineglow.
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QuallerOct 25, 2005It's ridiculous to review this record in the context of other albums, let alone their own other albums, because they're not trying to do what they tried to do on Blueberry Boat or Gallowsbird Bark. If you're giving this a bad review because you think "the grandma's voice is annoying", then you're lazy and an idiot.
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BobXOct 25, 2005
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mattyourmotherOct 25, 2005
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IanCOct 25, 2005Pitchfork is right about "Rehearsing My Choir" being exhausting, but to call this record "fruitless" is absolutely ridiculous. If you like music served to you on a silver plate, stay far, FAR away from "Rehearsing My Choir," but if you're looking for a record with rewards comparable to the great challenge they put forth, it will change your life.
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KylePOct 25, 2005Great album, Matt and Eleanor have done it again, with a little help from Olga.
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PlatypusQuestOct 25, 2005I love it. Definitely rewards many listenings, though it CERTAINLY must be listened to from start to finish. As individual songs, it simply doesn't work - but as a whole, it's quite magnificent. This is simply the most ambitious (and pretty much successful) offering in many, many years.
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KlausFOct 25, 2005Like no other record this year, this album makes it stunningly clear just how dull, uncreative, and safe 'avant garde' music has become. Screw the emotionally vacuous noise acts, down with dance-punk, this is a brave and difficult paradigm shift from indie pop's most vital band.
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PatF.Oct 25, 2005Best Fiery Furnaces album yet.
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PaulVOct 25, 2005mad record - really mad. Think I'll need a few weeks to be able to say anything coherent about it.
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[Anonymous]Oct 25, 2005i can't believe pfm with their review. don't listen to these reviews, this album is utterly amazing. don't let them decide for you, listen to it for yourself, if you skip this album, your going to be missing out on the entire world.
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strurmundrangOct 25, 2005this album makes me hope in music
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donaldfOct 25, 2005What's startling to me is how listenable this album really is. ignore the sour grapes and go for it.
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daviddOct 25, 2005astonishing. "you mean two jerks" is the funniest line, too.
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alexmOct 25, 2005i really think this record is invaluable experience for anyone who cares about music. it's out there, but in the best, boldest, blaringest way.
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michaelsOct 25, 2005brilliant.
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donmOct 25, 2005love this, can the furnaces be my friends?
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NathanSOct 25, 2005People need to stop trying to listen to this like a rock album. It's like a radio play or music theater piece - in the tradition of Harry Partch's "Bitter Music" or Shelley Hirsch's "O Little Town of East New York". Go listen to those albums first and then come back and listen to this one. Then you might appreciate how well it succeeds, both as narrative and as music.
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lucysOct 25, 2005oooh, matt is dreamy and nuts and genius.
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jeanniewOct 25, 2005i love this. no genre exists for it, yet.
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EddieTOct 24, 2005
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nickHOct 24, 2005This album is total genius. Who would think to make something like this? Only The Fiery Furnaces. Amazing. If you have any music taste at all, you will know this is gold.
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SimGOct 24, 2005You can download this album from amazon by streaming in advance. I like it quite a bit, although not as good as their previous efforts I think the critics are giving it a hard time cause it's over the top. They are overthinking an album that just takes regular stories and makes them magical. Worth a listen.
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Awards & Rankings
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As a think piece, Rehearsing My Choir is enormously engaging, but as a pop record, it's exhausting and fruitless.
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The Fiery Furnaces have delivered another great American novel via guitars, drums, bells, and whistles.
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BillboardThink of a visit to Nana's house reimagined as alt-Broadway musical theater. [29 Oct 2005]