Sampling: Ezra Furman & The Harpoons - Banging Down The Doors

EZRA FURMAN AND THE HARPOONS
Banging Down the Doors
Minty Fresh Records 2007

By Nick McGregor

Imagine, if you will, a hypothetical new reality show entitled “America’s Next Bob Dylan.” Contestants would have to perfect annoyingly nasal vocals, grasp abstract-yet-relatable subject matter and sport the most authentic frizzy hairdo, complete with cheap plastic sunglasses.

If the idea ever gets the green light, Ezra Furman may just sweep the competition and unanimously earn the title of “America’s Next Bob Dylan” based on his debut album Banging Down The Doors from Ezra Furman and The Harpoons.

With a voice ranging from slightly grating to embarrassingly high-pitched, and a uniquely staggering lyrical inventiveness, it’s clear that if anyone has a chance to live up to Dylan’s formidable legacy, Furman is the man. Relationships and rock ‘n’ roll give “My Soul Has Escaped From My Body” a rocket-fueled propulsion, while melancholy guitar riffs and howling pleas keep “How Long, Diana?” shockingly honest.

The harmonica-driven “I Dreamed of Moses” could easily claim a spot on any mid-1960s Dylan masterpiece, based on the strength of the lyrics alone.

Other album highlights include the sad electric shuffle of “God Is a Middle-Aged Woman,” the breezy, bluesy vibe of “She’s All I’ve Got Left” and the upbeat indie rock of “Halloween Snow.”

Like Bob Dylan, Ezra Furman and The Harpoons are a love-’em-or-hate-’em entity, with the aforementioned grating voice (also reminiscent of the Violent Femmes’ Gordon Gano) turning off many first-time listeners. But make it through all 13 songs of Banging Down the Doors, and it’s impossible not to feel the tug of Furman’s power, full of happiness and terror and sorrow and loneliness. While plenty of youthful hiccups and awkward moments pop up on the album, consider that this quartet of college kids made their live debut in Boston less than 18 months ago. Inexperienced or not, Ezra Furman and The Harpoons have produced the most promising and challenging debut album of 2007, from any band, in any genre. I wasn’t around back in 1962, but I’m pretty sure that outcast kid from Minnesota’s first album drew a comparable amount of admiration and confusion.