Ed Harcourt doesn't do concept albums, but this feels as close as we might ever get to one.
With opening track a piano-laced 'Intro' taking us into latest single 'The World is On Fire' Harcourt establishes the theme this album is built around, a stark statement of how badly we are treating the place we inhabit. But Ed cleverly draws parallels between the behaviour of the human race and his own flawed persona: 'I'm a beast of a man....' and the slightly more humorously self-deprecating lyric 'I'm an occupational hazard'.
This album was long in gestation. Harcourt has had a lengthy collaboration with Flood but it was definitely worth waiting for. Flood's excellent production resulting in a wonderful darkness that is always a feature of Harcourt's lyrics and on this record gives an earthy feel to the songs.
A large number of stand out tracks: 'The World Is On Fire' with pulsating echoey drums and exquisite female harmonies, 'Loup Garou' quickly becomes an ear-worm!! Title track 'Furnaces' takes us back 'into the abyss'.
'Dionysus' is classic Harcourt piano but with addition of threatening drums and keys. For Ed devotees the songs don't reach the heights of 'Heart Of Darkness' but there's plenty here to get the pulse racing.
Respite is found in the hand-clapping 'There is A Light Below' which leads to a couple of latter gems 'The Last Of Your Kind' and mesmerising album closer 'Antartica Ghetto'
Harcourt's previous six albums have tended to fall in to the 'critically acclaimed' category without getting the mainstream attention his artistry deserves. This album could just be the one that earns him greater public acclaim.
For Ed himself it feels like it's life-affirming; possibly career-defining too?
Si
9/11
