Eleanor Friedberger & Opinions on Chance the Rapper

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
Music News

Rumors are swirling that Swedish
Eleanor Friedberger
Singer-songwriter
Coloring Book Chance the Rapper

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
Featured Songs
- ABBA, "The Way Old Friends Do," Super Trouper, Atlantic, 1980
- Eleanor Friedberger, "Because I Asked You," New View, Frenchkiss, 2016
- Elvis Costello, "Pump It Up," This Year's Model, Columbia, 1978
- The Fiery Furnaces, "Blueberry Boat," Blueberry Boat, Rough Trade America, 2004
- Frank Zappa, "St. Alfonzo's Pancake Breakfast," Apostrophe ('), DiscReet, 1974
- Eleanor Friedberger, "Open Season (Live on Sound Opinions)," New View, Frenchkiss, 2016
- Eleanor Friedberger, "Sweetest Girl (Live on Sound Opinions)," New View, Frenchkiss, 2016
- Eleanor Friedberger, "Never Is a Long Time," New View, Frenchkiss, 2016
- Eleanor Friedberger, "Stare at the Sun," Personal Record, Merge, 2013
- Eleanor Friedberger, "All Known Things," New View, Frenchkiss, 2016
- Eleanor Friedberger, "Cathy With the Curly Hair (Live on Sound Opinions)," New View, Frenchkiss, 2016
- Eleanor Friedberger, "Two Versions of Tomorrow (Live on Sound Opinions)," New View, Frenchkiss, 2016
- Eleanor Friedberger, "He Didn't Mention His Mother," New View, Frenchkiss, 2016
- The Fiery Furnaces, "I'm Going Away," I'm Going Away, Thrill Jockey, 2009
- Eleanor Friedberger, "Does Turquoise Work? (Live on Sound Opinions)," New View, Frenchkiss, 2016
- Eleanor Friedberger, "Your Word," New View, Frenchkiss, 2016
- Chance the Rapper, "All We Got," Coloring Book, self-released, 2016
- Chance the Rapper, "Blessings," Coloring Book, self-released, 2016
- Candye Kane, "I'm the Toughest Girl Alive," The Toughest Girl Alive, Bullseye Blues & Jazz, 2000
- The Best Ever and Muhammad Ali, "The People's Choice," The People's Choice / Rope A Dope, Polydor, 1975
- Bob Dylan & The Band, "Long Distance Operator," The Basement Tapes, Columbia, 1975
- Kurtis Blow, "Street Rock," Kingdom Blow, Mercury, 1986
- Bob Dylan, "Pressing On," Saved, Columbia, 1980
- Bob Dylan, "Maggie's Farm (Live Version)," The Bootleg Series Vol. 7: No Direction Home: The Soundtrack, Columbia, 2005
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