After a relative dearth of female singer/songwriters (this was, of course, following the outpouring of them during the whole late-'90s Lilith Fair craze), slowly, slowly, women started making their way back into the limelight. Artists like Michelle Branch and KT Tunstall, even Avril Lavigne and Ashlee Simpson found success with their clean, sentimental poppy songs, and young Alison Sudol follows in this direction, even if she claims to have been influenced more by Radiohead and Sigur Rós more than Sarah McLachlan or Paula Cole. The truth is, Sudol, who chooses to go by the name A Fine Frenzy here, is much closer to the adult alternative sounds of radio-friendly ock than anything even bordering on experimental. A self-taught pianist, she trudges through the 14 songs on her debut, One Cell in the Sea with a kind of laboriousness that distracts from her sweet soprano and tales of love and friendship. Sudol's a decent lyricist -- her main weakness is that she tries much too hard to be profound or interesting -- but her heavily affected piano, the guitars and strings, force a kind of poignancy into the songs that ruins any kind of actual power they might have (the last track on the record, "Borrowed Time," which employs an acoustic guitar instead, displays Sudol's voice and songwriting abilities infinitely better). But worst of all, and probably what makes all this stand out so much, is that the songs on One Cell in the Sea are boring, with melodies that go nowhere, the choruses and verses blend into one another, the whole thing is an hour-long exercise in arpeggios and natural imagery ("I know that we're different/But we were one cell in the sea in the beginning.../We're not that different after all," Sudol coos in "The Minnow and the Trout"), hanging on for too long to Coldplay-esque rises and falls that do nothing, never capture the emotion like Chris Martin can. She certainly tries hard, and nothing ever comes out awfully, but she never takes off, never does anything memorable, and so despite her attempts, A Fine Frenzy ends up being unremarkably dull.
As someone who just got out a relationship, I can't recommend any other song or artist for that matter besides A Fine Frenzy. This beautiful woman has delicate but clear vocals that beg you to catch every word she sings. Almost Lover is haunting, recalling every vivid moment in this relationship in a way that will have you doing the same. You hear her heartache and close your eyes knowing her ...
More >
While walking into my dorm room today, I was shocked to hear a hauntingly beautiful voice emanating from my roommate's computer. Normally, she and I don't have the same music taste, but A Fine Frenzy gave me chills. A Fine Frenzy is 22-year-old Alison Sudol, a gorgeous woman with an even prettier voice. But don't get me wrong -- she's not just a pretty face; and she's got the voice to prove it....
More >
Friends,I would like to introduce you to a stunning new voice on thescene. That voice belongs to Alison Sudol aka A FineFrenzy.The CD, will not be out until July but we have a coupleof demos avail for request on Auralgasms Radio.I will also post a couple of videos below.An exclusive online video of A Fine Frenzy performing "Almost Lover" - filmed this month in Ocean Studios in BurbankRangers, ...
More >
So while I made my first post of Alison of A Fine Frenzy, I really can't get over how overwhelmingly talented this young lady is. You know when you listen to an artist, maybe this is my songwriter hopes and dreams coming out and I'm completely along on this, but you actually wish YOU were clever enough to come up with that writing? that you were that great at piano? that you could sing like tha...
More >
As promised :) here is Alison from a Fine Frenzy singing "Near to You" off the album One Cell in the Sea :) Hope you love it as much as I do !!
More >
Friends,I would like to introduce you to a stunning new voice on thescene. That voice belongs to Alison Sudol aka A FineFrenzy.The CD, will not be out until July but we have a coupleof demos avail for request on Auralgasms Radio.I will also post a couple of videos below.An exclusive online video of A Fine Frenzy performing "Almost Lover" - filmed this month in Ocean Studios in BurbankRangers, ...
More >
A Fine Frenzy aka Alison Sudol will be making her way across the U.S. this March. Her tour kicks off March 3rd and San Francisco's Cafe Du Nord. For those unfamiliar with the red-haired 22 year old's music, she is the pianist and voice behind the mellow hit "Almost Lover." A Fine Frenzy tour dates:3/04 Cafe du Nord - San Francisco, CA3/06 Doug Fir Lounge - Portland, OR3/07 The High Dive - Seatt...
More >
Allison is one the most inspiring songwriters I've heard. Her music is whimsical and freshens fairytales and the creative mind.
More >
So while I made my first post of Alison of A Fine Frenzy, I really can't get over how overwhelmingly talented this young lady is. You know when you listen to an artist, maybe this is my songwriter hopes and dreams coming out and I'm completely along on this, but you actually wish YOU were clever enough to come up with that writing? that you were that great at piano? that you could sing like tha...
More >
While walking into my dorm room today, I was shocked to hear a hauntingly beautiful voice emanating from my roommate's computer. Normally, she and I don't have the same music taste, but A Fine Frenzy gave me chills. A Fine Frenzy is 22-year-old Alison Sudol, a gorgeous woman with an even prettier voice. But don't get me wrong -- she's not just a pretty face; and she's got the voice to prove it....
More >
As promised :) here is Alison from a Fine Frenzy singing "Near to You" off the album One Cell in the Sea :) Hope you love it as much as I do !!
More >
Best song for driving with the window down on a sunny Saturday afternoon at the beginning of the fall:I love how the song just explodes at the beginning and then tapers off to the lyric. Alison Sudol's voice is just gorgeous. Hey Bad Andy: Have I mentioned A Fine Frenzy to you? Cause I've been meaning to. Cause I know you like the ladies. I mean. . .well, you know what I mean. ;) And yes...
More >
God! I keep erasing my posts before publishing them!So keeping on with the pretty music from pretty girls, here¨s Almost Lover by A Fine FrenzyAnd well, he's not a girl, but I really like this song Casimir Pulaski Day by Sufjan Stevens:I just love how he moves his wingsAnd as a bonus, Almost Lover the remixhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVSb-oVFEqc
More >
It's sometimes hard to write about something you really love in terms articulate and eloquent enough to convince others that you're not just infatuated. I'm sure I've been guilty of this, in fact, having gone over some of my previous posts about certain artists who I was but am no longer as-enamored with. But in this case I don't care. The only bad thing I have to say about A Fine Frenzy's d...
More >
once in a while i come across a singer whose voice just blows me away. Alison Sudol is amazing, I find her voice so soothing I just drift away into her music.
More >
hey, it's been a really long time since i've been on here, my bad. anyhoo, so if u haven't heard of a fine frenzy you need to discover them.. the band is simply elegant :) a friend recommended me and since i keep switching between which is my favorite track on their album, one cell in the sea. currently i'm loving you pcked me, but almost lover is killer, so is come on, come out, think of yo...
More >
As someone who just got out a relationship, I can't recommend any other song or artist for that matter besides A Fine Frenzy. This beautiful woman has delicate but clear vocals that beg you to catch every word she sings. Almost Lover is haunting, recalling every vivid moment in this relationship in a way that will have you doing the same. You hear her heartache and close your eyes knowing her ...
More >
| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Come on, Come Out |
|
|
| 2 The Minnow & The Trout |
|
|
| 3 Whisper |
|
|
| 4 You Picked Me |
|
|
| 5 Rangers |
|
|
| 6 Almost Lover |
|
|
| 7 Think of You |
|
|
| 8 Ashes and Wine |
|
|
| 9 Liar, Liar |
|
|
| 10 Last of Days |
|
|
| 11 Lifesize |
|
|
| 12 Near to You |
|
|
| 13 Hope for the Hopeless |
|
|
| 14 Borrowed Time |
|
|
Click to purchase…
© 2006-2009 Mog Inc. All Rights Reserved
 "One Cell In the Sea")
