Blown Away by A Fine Frenzy
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Artist:
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Album:Bomb in a Birdcage
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Track:
Damn! I'm in love again...and her name is Alison Sudol. She's the winsome Pacific Northwest singer-songwriter-keyboardist who records and performs as A Fine Frenzy. (I'll say!) And though I paid little attention to her debut album, I was captured by "Blow Away" - the first track that I heard from her second collection of songs, Bomb in a Birdcage, released just last month.
"Blow Away" has the feel of baroque British chamber-pop from the '60s, like the earliest singles by a young Marianne Faithfull, and dreamy, new-wave art-rock of the '80s in the manner of Kate Bush. It bears more that a little resemblance to the more jocular side of Sudol's fellow redheaded folk-rock angel Tori Amos. And, if I don't miss my guess, that could very well be a hint of the strum and strut of the Scottish duo The Proclaimers' 1988 hit "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)." But it's also a thing all its own, devastatingly catchy and sweet and - dare I say? - as adorable as Sudol herself.
Yes, the promo video is a little precious. And those fluttering hand movements she essays in the live performance of the song on "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" are a bit much. But the Ferguson clip is plain evidence that the girl can sing. Pitch problems? Not here. And she's so appealing that she reduces this hard-nosed cynic to a smiling dork whenever he sees or hears her. She can flutter her hands around me any time she likes.
A Fine Frenzy - "Blow Away":
"Blow Away" - Live on "The Late Late Show" (10/15/09):
Comments (23)
i've been waiting for this. had their 1st on my playlist for almost a year. They make it sound so easy.
She is very talented, Mike.
I've liked her for a while. Frequently her drummer is Daxx Nielsen, son of Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen- as in when she was on Leno:
http://www.myspace.com/daxx_x
Just scroll down to the Leno clip.
Now this is what its all about. Mind you, I Didn't watch the vid. just listened. & this alone almost makes up for all the toxic shock of shlocky rock.
A veritable nightingale.
I like your weakness for good singers....a fellow traveller.
Two thumbs up.
first I've listened to this frenzy, Mike, but that's the kind of upbeat pop magistry we need more of! Superb production as well, those little echoey spots are magically concieved; and that non-solo breakdown - for some unknown reason - brought masters Roxy Music to mind! (?) Thanks for the introduction!!!
good call Mike. lucky for Alison that you haven't met in person though. she'd need security. my friend Hal Cragin was producing her stuff and we met a couple of years ago at the Hotel Cafe. you and Jason Flom have similar eyes.....i mean ears!
Hmmm. All guys on the thread so far. Why am I not surprised?
cpetersonart3: I wasn't aware of how good she and the band could be. Until now. Situation under control.
Fasted7: Thanks for the linkage. She's so peachy!
dmdm: Happy to hear that. Alas, Tuesday is almost upon us. Beware! Beware!
Jonh: Yes, a glorious nightingale. A thrush. A canary. I guess you could say that I'm for the birds.
Spike: Two wings up?
scot: I know of which you write. Totally into the breakdown too. And you're welcome!
Robin: C'mon, man. You know me well enough to realize that I would behave myself. I think...
you're quite honorable Mike. i haven't seen your face in any LA post offices, although i was wondering why you split town so quickly.....
miss ya, man!
I'll be back before long, Robin. Too much going on to miss out. We still haven't had a beer at Boho, so there's reason enough right there.
She's got a distracting amount of Edie Brickell iin her performance, but that voice and that hair ... whew. Good call sir!
Dale: Voice, hair - and don't forget those eyes and that smile. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a cool drink.
Fight you for her...
Happy she has something new out; time for a break-through!
Cute as....
...she's not a red head though....
Oh yeah, I could see this getting in a few hip TV shows or being used in a commercial and blowing up. Nice one.
Anna: Oh, it's on!
darmuzz: This might do the trick.
Neill: Does this have anything to do with the carpet and drapes? (Not that it really matters...)
Cody B: To me, it sounds more like an end-of-credits track for a rom-com - or maybe something on the trailer. But I'll take it anywhere I can get it at this point. (Okay. That sounded a little over-the-top, even for me.)
I just re-learned how great live shows can be, went to my first one in over a year. Seeing it was the Get Up Kids I did not fall in love with anyone though..........but I still think Matt Pryor is pretty cute!
You can't legislate love, Kevin. Sounds like fun though.
damn! now there's a _chick_ i'd bring out my best pickup line for. (8
Uh-oh. Can you say "menage a trois?"
oh, you don't want to know the answer. ::: evil grin :::
Knowledge is power. ;-)