Ezra Furman

Review: In a music landscape seemingly micro-managed and steeped in cliche to the point of inescapable blandess, the maverick spark of an artist like Ezra Furman is something to be valued very highly. His third album 'Perpetual Motion People' crams more ideas, energy, eccentricity and chutzpah into its thirteen tracks than most bands can dream of in a career. Wracked by self-doubt he may be, yet Furman here channels his angst, inspiration and flamboyant joie-de-vivre into a kaleidoscopic collection of exuberant ditties that sashay with blues-rock, jaunty punk-pop and acoustic introspection whilst maintaining a vibrant pull all Furman's own. The sound of a unique talent blossoming in rare style.

Review: Troubadour for the dejected, rejected, never-did-fits, Ezra Furman deserves to be ranked among the greatest songwriters of our time. On "Twelve Nudes" he takes the hard-learnt lessons of previous records and channels that anger, desperation, euphoria, fear and hope into an impassioned call to arms - his finest since "Perpetual Motion People". In many ways, this is a far more positive outing, too, or at least one that largely keeps the focus on big noise. "My Teeth Hurt" and "Thermometer" are ferocious, head-banging whirlwinds. "Evening Prayer aka Justice" throws fists to the air with protest-esque pride. "Calm Down aka I Should Not Be Alone" offers Northern Soul-leaning drums and rhythms. Of course, there's still room for freaky, introspective rockabilly melancholia - namely "I Wanna be Your Girlfriend". Like Furman himself on-stage, it's unashamed and unwilling to compromise, making for one of this year's finest bloody-lipped, sweat-soaked rock 'n' roll records.

Review: Troubadour for the dejected, rejected, never-did-fits, Ezra Furman deserves to be ranked among the greatest songwriters of our time. On "Twelve Nudes" he takes the hard-learnt lessons of previous records and channels that anger, desperation, euphoria, fear and hope into an impassioned call to arms - his finest since "Perpetual Motion People". In many ways, this is a far more positive outing, too, or at least one that largely keeps the focus on big noise. "My Teeth Hurt" and "Thermometer" are ferocious, head-banging whirlwinds. "Evening Prayer aka Justice" throws fists to the air with protest-esque pride. "Calm Down aka I Should Not Be Alone" offers Northern Soul-leaning drums and rhythms. Of course, there's still room for freaky, introspective rockabilly melancholia - namely "I Wanna be Your Girlfriend". Like Furman himself on-stage, it's unashamed and unwilling to compromise, making for one of this year's finest bloody-lipped, sweat-soaked rock 'n' roll records.

Review: 'Transangelic Exodus' is Ezra Furman's rock 'n' roll concept opus following the pseudo-autobiographical story of Furman falling in love with a transangel and the two becoming outlaws on the run from the government and mysterious, intolerant and violent figures. Structurally and musically, every song feels like a new chapter as Furman explores a multitude of avenues, drawing strands of genres together to create something simultaneously strange and familiar. It's a stunningly well-formed and considered album, and Furman's storytelling makes for a visceral and thrilling ride, and this is perhaps his best work yet. In a time when values are changing so rapidly in favour of openness and acceptance, but intolerance still has societal footholds, albums that manage to be as joyously compelling, poetically written and acerbically counter-cultural in their message as 'Transangelic Exodus' feel more necessary and relevant than ever.