Eleanor Friedberger & Opinions on Chance the Rapper

Eleanor Friedberger

After making her mark in the indie duo The Fiery Furnaces, singer-songwriter Eleanor Friedberger launched a solo career blending her former band's experimentalism with classic '70s sounds. She joins Jim and Greg for a conversation and live performance. Plus, a review of the new mixtape from Chicago hip-hop artist Chance the Rapper.

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ABBA

Rumors are swirling that Swedish pop powerhouse ABBA is in talks to reunite after all four members were seen together last weekend. During a gala to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson's music partnership, Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad made an appearance singing their song "The Way Old Friends Do." The band broke up seemingly for good in 1982 and despite millions of dollars in offers; ABBA has rejected the idea of a possible reunion tour. Not to quash fans' hopes, but Swedish music historian Carl Magnus Palm believes there is a 99.9% chance ABBA will not reunite, noting that the foursome didn't actually all sing together the other night.

Eleanor Friedberger

Singer-songwriter Eleanor Friedberger last joined us in 2008 as one half of the duo The Fiery Furnaces, along with her older brother Matthew. Famous for their fragmented and experimental sound, they made an impressive nine albums in six years together. However since 2011, Eleanor has been pursuing a solo career that is sonically quite different from the work she was doing in The Fiery Furnaces. She's put out three albums, Last Summer (2011), Personal Record (2013) and most recently, New View. While Eleanor Friedberger is an Oak Park, Illinois native currently living in New York state, she recently joined Jim and Greg during the SXSW Music Conference in Austin, Texas for a conversation and live performance in front of an audience at the Gibson Showroom. She speaks about growing up, going solo, Seth Meyers, and Andy Warhol.

Coloring Book Chance the Rapper

Chance

Chicago artist Chance the Rapper recently released his third mixtape, Coloring Book. And while he's at the forefront of the rap genre, he's never actually sold a single album. That's because all three of his mixtape releases, as well as two collaborative albums, can be downloaded for free from the Internet. On Coloring Book, Chance enlists a slew of popular guest stars, from fellow Chicagoan Kanye West to the man of the moment, Justin Bieber. Jim really enjoyed this record, especially Chance's use of gospel music to empower individuals and generate a sense of community in order to combat violence. While he doesn't think it is quite as good as his last release, Acid Rap, Jim strongly believes the music and lyrical insight on this album is equal parts impressive and inspiring. He gives it a Buy It. Greg agrees, saying that Coloring Book is one of the most ambitious records in hip hop right now. He even points out that West's recent album, The Life of Pablo, wouldn't be what it is without Chance's gospel sound influence. Greg appreciates the larger themes of the album and how it connects so well to the music of the Civil Rights Movement. It's a Double Buy It for Coloring Book.

Jim

It has become a sad cliché at this point that 2016 has been a terrible year for losses in the music world. This week, Jim pays tribute to Candye Kane – an artist less famous than Prince or Bowie, but every bit as exceptional. She came out of the Los Angeles punk scene, but wore many hats throughout her life: feminist, porn star, bisexual, fat activist – and big, bold, and brash blues singer. Over dozens of albums, she showcased her power, raunchiness, humor and an unforgettable voice. Kane died on May 6 from pancreatic cancer at age 54. In her honor, Jim nominates her 2000 anthem "I’m the Toughest Girl Alive" for the Desert Island Jukebox.

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