Fierce caucus to determine next Fiery Furnaces album

If Election 2008 feels like it's been going on forever, that's probably because it has. Despite campaign exhaustion afflicting even the toughest of candidates this year, there is many a month left to go until the primaries come to a close on June 3.

But have no fear. The Fiery Furnaces, inspired by "democracy fever," have opened up an online, non-binding caucus, giving their fans the ability to opine on their choice for the next Furnaces' studio album. Presented with four "Red" and four "Blue" candidates, voters are encouraged to "go stand over in the corner of the Internet next to the album of your choice" (i.e. post a choice using the comment box on their website), and pick from choices such as Kythphiaxkis Traans-Oinomaos ("A double-sided love story involving one beautiful hermaphrodite and a second, conventionally unattractive one") and No one knows what it’s like ("Very serious, almost ghoulish, Who’s Next-izing").

At press time, polls remain open, but with 190 votes cast so far, Fiery fans are clearly calling for the funk. Three-dom is Two-darn One-derful (Four-dom and Eight-red Zero-in on your Five-lihood), described as a "Funk record. Featuring the debut of the Eleanorettes (backing singers)," has received nearly 10 more votes than any other choice. It's understandable: who wouldn't want some Eleanorettes in their life?

At any ridiculous rate, the Furnaces' seventh record is sure to be a departure from their last, and, given the album descriptions provided on their webpage, sure to be as quirky and unique as the first six.

The Furnaces also announced the ROLL THE DICE/LEAP OF FAITH, a continuation-of-sorts to their extended fall tour, which was a continuation-of-sorts to their summer tour, which was, well, you get the picture.

As usual, dates:

January
21 - Rochester, N.Y. @ Bug Jar
22 - Buffalo, N.Y. @ The Tralf
23 - State College, Pa. @ Lulu's
24 - Columbus, Ohio @ The Basement Nightclub
25 - Baltimore, Md. @ Ottobar
26 - Charlottesville, Va. @ Satellite Ballroom
27 - Washington D.C. @ 9:30 Club*
29 - Carrboro, N.C. @ Cat's Cradle*
30 - Atlanta, Ga. @ Variety Playhouse*
31 - New Orleans, La. @ The Republic*

February
1 - Dallas, Texas @ Granada Theatre
2 - Houston, Texas @ The Proletariat
5 - Oxford, Miss. @ Proud Larry's
6 - Nashville, Tenn. @ Exit / In
7 - Birmingham, Ala. @ Bottletree
8 - Asheville, N.C. @ Grey Eagle Tavern
9 - Knoxville, Tenn. @ The Pilot Light

* with the Super Furry Animals