Who isEleanor Friedberger?Friedbergeris previously known for her work in Chicago power-pop harmonie-musikThe Fiery Furnaces, a band she created with her brother Matthew at the turn of the millennium. Theyre too modest to mention that theyve won a number of awards, sold out happenings the world over and made nine albums, most recentlyTake Me Round Again, a collection of cover songs from their previous album. That experience, combined with the fact that The Fiery Furnaces arent breaking up, inspired her to make her first solo record,Last Summer, last summer.

In the music, you will hear the casual confrontation of the most emotionally direct Fiery Furnaces songs, plus a lot of snap, crackle and pop. In fact, in these songs made of memories, you will hear the future. Sparks, Donovan, Procol Harum, Kath Bloom, L Borges and Todd Rundgren too. Friedbergers phrasing is as good as anyones; even better, when the lines over and most other singers would leave it right there, shell throw in an unnecessary extra syllablea yuh or an er, even an oh oh. Its like she hates silence. Eleanor Friedbergers music improves on silence: theres your headline.

WithLast Summer,Eleanor Friedbergermay well be telling us about last summer, or various last summers, or evenWATCH OUT!the last summer there will ever be. . . One thing is certain: shes playing a long game.