A Fine Frenzy showcases a fine voice and more
Paradise, Boston, November 2, 2009
Reviewed by Jeffrey B. Remz
Count A Fine Frenzy, aka Alison Sudhol (AFF is a person, not a group), as among the group of recent singer/songwriters with much to offer.
What stood out most about Sudhol was her huge, big voice. It was one powerful tool. That was evident from the start with The World Without, the lead-off song and one of the many she played from her very recent second catchy CD "Bomb in a Birdcage" CD. In fact, her voice was almost a bit too powerful. While she sounded quite pretty - ethereal would be more like it at times - when she hit the highest of notes, she also could not be as easily understood as she opted for a lower range. She also displayed more emotional depth in the lower range.
Whatever range she opted for, Sudhol was blessed with the ability to outright sing.
The songs were well put together as well. She occupies the same territory as Ingrid Michaelson, but with more musical range and less of the cutesiness in her delivery.
Sudhol also mixed it up a lot musically with her band. About the only questionable call was a version of Blondie's Heart of Glass. She turned in about as good a version as any number of other acts might have in trying for a catchy cover without having anything on the original.
Sudhol deserved credit also for not merely replicating the songs as she recorded them. She breathed a lot more life into them, whether on the very fine opening song from her CD, the catchy, What I Wouldn't Do, the first song of her three-song encore, or Electric Twist, a bit denser live.
Sudhol seemed a bit too mannered on stage. She moved and danced and got into the music, but there also was a sense that she was too much just so with her numerous sweeping hand motions. Somehow, it didn't come across as entirely natural.
There is a lot to praise with the California singer. After all, a great voice and enticing songs go a very long way. A bit more of a natural presence will bring A Fine Frenzy one step further.
Landon Pigg preceded Sudhol and did not leave all that much of an impression. He altered between rockers, which didn't go all that far and came off as on the generic side, and slower numbers. They were far more engaging.
But it left the question of just what type of music Pigg was trying to present. There just wasn't all that much there to get excited about.
Opening act Among the Oak and Ash proved very enticing. The group is comprised of Garrison Starr and Josh Joplin, solo artists in their other lives. But they joined together and put a strong CD, which they are now touring behind.
While only catching about half of their set, they blended their voices very well together with both taking turns on lead vocals. They were aided by David Mayfield, who sometimes tours with his main gig, bluegrass band Cadillac Sky, and sister Jessica Lea Mayfield. He offered a lot with his mandolin playing.
Among the Oak and Ash were short in time, but very sweet.
