I see Eleanor's solo album garnered an "Honorable Mention" from Pitchfork in their Best Albums of 2011 list (they go to 50).
I've heard some of the songs off it. It's...I guess it's what I'd expect from her. The Furnaces are like a novelty act. Mercurial, experimental in a way that legitimately hasn't been done elsewhere, etc. I think I admire their music more than I like it.
And the solo album, or what I've heard of it, was pleasant, but nothing I can sink my teeth into. Something for hour #10 on a long car trip where I'm a bit loopy and can't stand anything too intense.
I think her/their fans are probably mostly hipsters, who love it primarily because so many others don't and never could. At least her solo stuff is more accessible.
Blueberry Boat is straight up, though. At once atonal and melodic, experimental and catchy.