
I’m always on the lookout for new music to check out. Our slogan here at TheFrontloader.com is, after all, “So much music… so little time…”
That is so true.
It is impossible for me to hear EVERYTHING that has been released. If I were to even try to attempt that, I would need to have my iPod surgically implanted and have an endless stream of music flowing in from somewhere. Music would be playing in my ear, 24 hours a day… but even if I were to do THAT, I still wouldn’t get to everything.
Which, by the way, is why I am NOT going to do any “Best of 2008” lists here. How can I possibly say that anything is the “Best of 2008” if I haven’t been able to hear everything that has been released in 2008? From the major labels to the indie labels to the DIY labels… there’s no way.
Nah, I’ll leave that to Sherman.

Anyhow, my point is that in order to find new music, I usually turn to my friends and colleagues. Word of mouth advertising is still the most effective because it comes from someone you trust, not someone who is TRYING to sell you.
This week’s “Spin of the Week” came to me through a friend’s recommendation. I took a listen, dug it, bought it, spun it, dug it some more, and now I’m writing about it.
See how that works?
A Fine Frenzy is the stage name for Alison Sudol. In 2007 she released her debut album, One Cell in the Sea, and has been finding success ever since. Her material has already appeared in a number of television shows and movies, which undoubtedly helped propel her album sales.
Sudol apparently enjoys Shakespeare, as she took on the name “A Fine Frenzy” from his play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream: “The poet’s eye, in a fine frenzy rolling, Doth glance from heaven to earth, from earth to heaven.”
Incidentally, although it’s pretty cool to have a stage name like “A Fine Frenzy,” I’ve always wondered how artists like this introduce themselves to others:
Anyhow, after teaching herself piano, Sudol sent a demo to Capitol Records and was able to secure a record deal. One Cell in the Sea was released after her appearance at SXSW. See, kids? It’s THAT easy. (Okeeeeee!!!!)

There are some gorgeous moments on One Cell in the Sea. Sudol’s voice is soft yet penetrating, as is the music she composes. You get the feeling she’s almost at a whisper most of the time, which is a very cool characteristic to her style. She drifts in and out of her falsetto voice so smoothly that after a while, you barely notice that she’s doing it. A good example of this is “Whisper.” Take a listen to just the first half of the tune and you’ll hear not only the whisper-like quality but also the lovely falsetto she’s got. Don’t get me wrong, though… she’s got a set of pipes. In the Dig-It section below, I’ve posted a live performance of Sudol and Brandi Carlile covering Elton John’s “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.” Very cool listen.
Sudol either wrote or co-wrote all the tracks on the album, which is always great to see. Her lyrics can be considered to be “deep” and “philosophical,” which is indicative of her love of literature. She brings with her a great sense of imagery, and it’s a wonderful match to the supporting music.
Although there are plenty of guitar-laden tracks, One Cell in the Sea is piano/keyboard driven, as that is Sudol’s instrument of choice. I’ve always dug girls and pianos, so when you put them together, I’m an even happier boy. Most of the record is mid to slow tempo, but is arranged well enough that you don’t notice the pace. And as I said in the last paragraph, the music supports the lyric in that it creates this almost fantasy-like sonic realm.
Now, I’m not saying that her lyrics are “fantasy-like,” but check this out from the song “Rangers,”
Sightless creatures tugging at our clothes
Cutting through the twilight, sword in hand
Strangers once, united against the land
At the sound of the bells
They’re pulling paper lanterns from their shelves
Now, some of you may be wondering, “Huh?” and by all means, that was my first thought as well… but upon further analyzing the lyric, I can honestly say, “Wha…?” She can never be guilty of NOT using vivid language, that’s for sure! I take that back… after FURTHER analyzing the lyrics, I can honestly say, “Gah?”
But that’s a Denny’s Grand Slam Breakfast because it makes her music that much more interesting. It’s those moments of “Ohhhh! I get it!” that are so rewarding to experience when you invest your time into an artist.
And A Fine Frenzy is well worth the investment. I’ve been spinning One Cell in the Sea for the better part of the past week and am still trying to decide what my favorite track is. So far it’s a toss-up between about half of the album, which is a good thing. I’ve posted a couple of contenders below, along with the live bootleg.
Take a listen, buy the record, see a show, spread the word. Maybe not in that exact order, but it’s probably a wise thing to take a listen first. Then you can go from there. Yeah. Do that.

Buy A Fine Frenzy on Amazon
Buy A Fine Frenzy on iTunes
Your Dig-It Downloads:
Download: Come On, Come Out
Download: Hope For The Hopeless
Download: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (Brandi Carlile & A Fine Frenzy live)
Popularity: 1% [?]


Nice writing. You are on my RSS reader now so I can read more from you down the road.
Allen Taylor
Yes, guy! I just listened to ‘Hope For The Hopeless’ and I’m hooked! She has an incredible voice. Reminds me of Rosie Thomas the way she plays with her own volume for full effect. BTW, Rosie has also had her songs on several TV shows. Go check out her new Christmas album – I recommend her re-arrangements of ‘Silent Night’, ‘O Come O Come Emmanuel’ and ‘Christmas Don’t Be Late’. Plus, for sheer fun, you can’t beat ‘Why Can’t It Be Christmastime All Year?’ Thanks for the recommendation!
http://www.virb.com/rosiethomas/music/albums/73965
I am a sucker for female vox – this sounds great…thanks for the heads up!!
I like girls and pianos too. And guys and pianos for that matter. Will check out the album I really like Hope for the Hopeless. And live covers are always fun to hear.
I’ve not heard of Alison Sudol so thank you, I kinda like her sound. Again, I’m not always the biggest fan of female singers, but she’s interesting. I especially like “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” since I DO dig Brandi Carlile a lot.
I love that I get to hear of people that I wouldn’t have ever gotten a chance to hear if it wasn’t for this site. You have a very good ear my friend and most excellent taste in music.
I am VERY excited your featured this band. LOVE THEM!!! I got the album several months ago and I listened to it for like a week straight. So good!!