A Fine Frenzy: One Cell In The Sea
Thursday, 19 Jun 2008 16:29
A Fine Frenzy: One Cell In The Sea
Virgin Records, out now.
In a nutshell...
Exquisite singer-songwriter stuff.
What's it all about?
Featuring the wistful singles Come On Come Out and Almost Lover, One Cell In The Sea is the debut album from American singer-songwriter A Fine Frenzy aka Alison Sudol, and features 14 tracks with a definite British influence.
Who's it by?
Twenty two-year-old Alison Sudol is an anglophile at heart who grew up listening to British bands such as the Smiths, Keane and Coldplay.
And her love of all things British extends to the name of A Fine Frenzy taken from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Her adoration of English literature comes across in her songs for which storytelling plays a major role.
As an example...
"Your fingertips across my skin, the palm trees swaying in the wind/Images/You sang me Spanish lullabies, the sweetest sadness in your eyes/Clever trick, images." – Almost Lover
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
One Cell In The Sea has the potential to make the denizens of fortress Grammy sit up and pay attention but I don't think it's quite enough to secure a gong or two. Perhaps with the follow-up.
What the others say
"Her voice, at once vulnerable and strong, complements self-penned lyrics that articulate heartbreak, most notably on the haunting hit-in-waiting Almost Lover, which hints at maturity beyond her years." – Sunday Times Culture
So is it any good?
The influence of UK music on Alison Sudol is what elevates the album into something special.
Sudol's powerful yet delicate voice teases out every emotion from the lyrics before, assisted by lush percussion and guitar, offering up a dramatic soundscape where storytelling is king. This is evident on the memorable Whisper and recent single Almost Lover.
Sudol's love of British bands comes through strongly on the Coldplay-styled Rangers with its yearning atmosphere and haunting lyrics that speak of melancholy phantoms and poisoned apples.
In fact, Sudol's voice on this track, although still very young, touches onto the same hallowed ground that is trod by Annie Lennox, which is no bad thing.
Liar, Liar is another outstanding song that deserves substantial radio airplay. Are you reading this, Radio 2?
As is Lifesize which is shot through with sadness but also renewed hope for the future that will make you smile and nod in agreement while the emotional impact of Near To You is palpable.
The album, produced by Lukas Burton and Hal Cragin, marks out Alison Sudol, sorry, A Fine Frenzy, as an amazing talent who has garnered praise from Rufus Wainwright, who handpicked her to open his tour. Hollywood star Charlize Theron is also a big fan of A Fine Frenzy and has included Come On Come Out on the soundtrack of her latest movie Sleepwalker.
8/10
Lee Davis
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