Review Summary: A Fine Frenzy avoids the sophomore slump and then some!
Alison Sudol, who heads A Fine Frenzy, is a singer songwriter who can be compared to Tori Amos because of her piano playing and Sarah McLachlan because of her melodies. Her voice sometimes has the inflections of Fiona Apple, only is more of a soprano than Fiona's. Add in some Coldplay-like atmospherics, and you get an idea of what her music is like. One Cell In The Sea is one of my all-time favorite albums. So naturally, I was wondering if she could follow up that CD with a CD just as good. A Fine Frenzy is so talented that I knew she could do it, but there's always that risk of a sophomore slump. I am pleased to report that Bomb In A Birdcage is not only just as good as One Cell In The Sea - it is even a bit better because of its diversity! When I heard A Fine Frenzy would show her wilder side on the new CD, I expected something power pop or rock. While it's not quite that, Bomb In A Birdcage features songs that are more electric and upbeat versions of the songs on One Cell In The Sea. Fans do not have to worry, though - the main qualities that are great about A Fine Frenzy are still here.
The enchanting ballads that were on One Cell In The Sea have not been abandoned. "Swan Song," "Beacon," "Happier," and "Bird Of The Summer" continue that One Cell In The Sea sound. And they are just as beautiful as songs like "The Minnow & The Trout" and "Almost Lover." Also, The powerful, poetic lyrics are also still here. For example, here are sample lyrics from "Beacon" -
"Burning beacon in the night
Can't feel it's heat, or see it's light
That single solitary guide, it must get lonely there sometimes"
Alison's dreamy vocals still are well on display. On certain songs, she gets to belt a little bit - particularly in "Blow Away" and "World Without." But there's one final piece of the puzzle still here on Bomb In The Birdcage - her ability to create music that gives you imagery of the type of emotion she is feeling in the song. In "New Heights" - you can literally feel yourself soaring through the sky. In the bouncy "Electric Twist," the mood is truly electric and fun. In "Bird Of The Summer," you can feel the whimsy in the song. In "Elements," you can feel the tension building - it's like you can feel the wind and rain. And on the bombastic but not overwhelming "Stood Up," it's like you can view a crowd of people coming together around a common goal.
So in summary, Bomb In A Birdcage gives you what you expect from A Fine Frenzy, only expands on it. It's a very natural progression of her music to add some punch to her music while keeping the amazing melodies. One song, "World Without," even bridges together her quiet side with her upbeat side, mixing soft verses with a charging chorus. I don't know if it will be seen as a classic by the general public, but I am giving it the highest rating because I truly think it deserves to be remembered as one. Like One Cell In The Sea, I do not think there is one weak track here. Lastly, the bonus tracks "Silent War" from Amazon.com and "Coming Around" from iTunes are both worth having. "Silent War" is acoustic like "What I Wouldn't Do," only softer. "Coming Around" IS kind of a power pop style, but not the typical power pop song. There are plenty of twists and turns in the structure of "Coming Around," making it one of her most unique songs.
