Disco de Fugazi: “Furniture [EP] [Slipcase]”

So it really does look as if Fugazi are no more. '87 to 2001/2002 : 2 ep's, 2 mini albums, 6 studio albums, a soundtrack album, a documentary, countless live shows and status of one of the greatest bands of the past 15 or so years. That's not a bad run by any bands standards is it? Especially when you consider we're dealing with a band that came out of hardcore here, a genre that usually deals with bands burning out and splitting up after a handful of 7"s and one album or turning metal/alternative/polka-folk-bluegrass-jazz-Duran-Duran-lite-goth on their sophmore effort. Even more so when you remind yourself that Fugazi is a band that's never disappointed (well, ok : i admit the more jam-heavy Guy songs on "end hits" did take some getting used to) and, while keeping their style intact, have always managed to evolve and not repeat themselves with each successive release. I guess we can look at this and their "the argument" album as their last hurrah before riding into the sunset without even an official "that's all folks" but what a way to go out.

Track one "furniture" is the old sparse Gang Of Four-ish '87 Ian classic that anyone who has ever been to see Fugazi live a few times is already familiar with. It would've fitted in perfectly on the "6 songs" mini album alongside "waiting room" and "suggestion". Track two "# 5" is an uptempo, pounding Joe and Brendan penned instrumenatal song full of fascinating band interplay between the rhythm section and the two guitarists. And, finally, track three "hello morning" is the Guy effort. Like "# 5" and "full disclosure" from "the argument" ("five corporations" from "end hits" too if you really wanna nitpick) this is the hardest Fugazi have been since the "in on the killtaker" days.

As with every Fugazi release the Don Zientara production is stellar as it always manages to capture their live power, along with the subtle intracies of the music without it sounding overproduced or underproduced. I suppose i can see why they didn't put "# 5" and "hello morning" on "the argument" but, realistically, they would've slotted on there perfectly. Still, it's kinda nice they didn't as they gave us long-time Fugazi fans an ep with a live favorite that had never received studio treatment and two impeccable new tracks. The cd running time is under 10 minutes but this remains one of my favorite releases from the past 5 years.

This is most likely my second most satisfying musical purchase of 2001 (the first being All's new live record.) It's simply ESSENTIAL. I rank this EP up with any of their records. Why am I saying this? If you like Fugazi you'll be purchasing this soon enough anyway.

If you like Fugazi, and you didn't like "The Argument". Pick up this EP. Yes, it is short, but it is classic old school Fugazi at their best. The new recording style makes it sound even better than the older CD's. I'm sure every Fugazi fan has heard "Furniture" before, they play it live all the time, it's even on their documentary, but I bet you've never heard it like this before. Crank up your surround sound and blast this song. There is no better energy rush. "Number 5" is a nice up-tempo instrumental and "Hello Morning" is a "Full Disclosure-ish" song where Guy's flipped-out singing style meets Ian's powerful tones. If you are a hardcore Fugazi fan, do yourself a favor,(. . .)and pick up this single.

Yes, yes, yes. This is cool. This is way cool. Probably the best single to be released this year. Three proper punk-sounding bursts of energy from the kings of all things experimental, off-beat and baffling, that shows that they can still pull the rug from under the feet of today's ... pop / punk nonsense.

Blink 182? Who are they? Sum-41? Oh, pleeease. Less Than Jake? Don't make me laugh. This is punk.

The first song, 'Furniture', is cool with Ian Mackaye's typically angsty singing, and a nice catchy chorus motif. The second song, 'Number 5', is a cool instrumental that sounds like The Shadows and Dead Kennedys meeting, getting along swell... and writing a punk song together. Third song, 'Hello Morning', is your token Guy Piccioto whining but cool stormer, and leaves you gasping for more.

This release is very different to 'The Argument'. There are no songs off that album on this single, so don't think you're being cheated. Fugazi don't cheat you. They just offer you proper music, unlike most 'alternative' bands these days.

well for some of you who did not know furniture is a song that was wrote 13 years ago .i do have a bootleg of this song and its getting tired so its great they finnally put it out.the weird thing about it is that it even sounds fresh even today . so as far as the rest of the single its not a single for there other realise the arugument but kind of another project entirely.its kind of looking back into there past with these 3 songs .a little more agressive and more experimental.something fugazi is always willing to pull out once in a while to shake up things.thats why i would think they were not put on the arugument because it would not fit with that album concept .not to say that that is not a great one also but just a different colour then this..so if ya want to hear the the best shortest album of the year this is it.just put your cd player on 1,2,3 repeater a couple of times because this one is short..and always priced cheap...