A Fine Frenzy @ Gramercy Theatre

I have to admit, I kind of thought A Fine Frenzy was overrated. I liked her and all, but I felt like I know so many people who are head-over-heels in love with her and I just didn't get the obsession.

On Wednesday night though, all that changed. I went to see her perform at the Gramercy Theatre and consider me converted. A Fine Frenzy (aka Alison Sudol) is a spectacular performer. First off, I felt like her voice was so much more dynamic and powerful than it sounds on her albums (not that she sounds bad on her albums, but there I just thought she had more strength and richness to her voice live). She's also a very dynamic performer - full of expression (hence I took something like 58 pictures during her set). I never thought comparisons to Regina Spektor were all that apt before, but at least in terms of performing I can see it now. The red hair, her adorable smile, the fullness of her emotion (I seriously thought she was going to start crying during some of those heartfelt ballads), her humble air (she seemed to grateful to be there and so giddy from the sizeable audience's applause). She's the whole package - humble yet diva-esque, cute and sexy, and the girl is a pretty good dancer too. She shook it on several occasions.

I think my favorite part of the show was when she covered Blondie's "Heart of Glass." That was the first time we got to see a glimpse of her sexy side (though it came out many times during the rest of the show) and she just seemed like she was having so much fun, as did the audience. And of course there were all her crowd favorites like Almost Lover (there were some really adorable audience-singing-along moments during that one), The Minnow & The Trout (not a good song for Creationists but a favorite for heathens like me), You Picked Me, etc. It was definitely one of the best concerts I've been to all year and I definitely recommend you go see her if you have the opportunity. She's still has lots of tour dates left (see below). And here's some more pictures:

A Fine Frenzy @ The Gramercy Theatre

11/02/2009 - Paradise Rock Club - Boston, MA
11/04/2009 - Park West - Chicago, IL
11/05/2009 - Fine Line Music Cafe - Minneapolis, MN
11/09/2009 - Neumos Crystal Ball Reading Room - Seattle, WA
11/10/2009 - Wonder Ballroom - Portland, OR
11/12/2009 - Great American Music Hall - San Francisco, CA
11/13/2009 - The Boardwalk - Orangevale, CA
11/15/2009 - Martini Ranch - Scottsdale, AZ
11/17/2009 - El Rey Theatre - Los Angeles, CA
11/18/2009 - House of Blues Anaheim - Anaheim, CA

Oh, and I should probably mention that Landon Pigg was one of the openers, but I only caught the tale end of his set, so I don't feel I can really write much about it. I liked the number about Roller Derby (which I'm guessing was written because of his acting debut in Whip It). And I'd like to praise the Gramercy Theatre - it's a really nice venue and one of the few places I've been in the city who actually thinks lighting is an important part of the show (something we photographers very much appreciate).

The Minnow and The Trout [mp3] - (iTunes)

Theme Thursday - Love

Since today is Valentine's day, the theme for today is love. And for those of you say "St. Valentine was a murderer and Valentine's day is a fake holiday invented by greeting card companies," I say, "yes, it is, but Coca-Cola invented the Santa Claus we know and love, so what's your point?" It's so interesting to me how people "rebel against consumerism" for this one day each year, but really they're just bitter. Besides, even though it can suck for single people (especially single girls, of which I've been one many a Valentine's day), what's wrong with having yet one more day to celebrate and do something special? And just think about all the delicious candy that's going to go on sale tomorrow. Mmmmmmm... Candy. Any holiday that revolves around chocolate can't be too bad in my book.

So that's the theme for the day and maybe the plethora of good music I am about to unleash will cheer you anti-Valentine's day people up (I've actually had a somewhat terrible day myself thanks to the lovely Metro Transit Authority and Con Ed). Instead of just finding songs with the word "love" in the songs for today though, I am going to post songs that I think are really romantic.

Umbrella [mp3] - Rihanna featuring Jay-Z - "Good Girl Gone Bad" (iTunes) - Yes, I know. You indie snobs reading this are probably vomiting right now. But it really is a sweet song. It's one of the few pop songs these days that isn't just about f***ing someone's brains out (though you can't really tell that from the music video... but oh well). Listen to the lyrics. "Now that it's raining more than ever, know what we'll still have each other. You can stand under my umbrella." It's actually a very nice, romantic, simple concept for a song. And yes, it's catchy as hell.

Song No. 6 [mp3] - Ane Brun featuring Ron Sexsmith - "A Temporary Dive" (iTunes). A sweet, pretty song about how it would be easy to write a song about someone. "I would spend three or four lines on describing your eyes. And then the next three or four lines on the dimples of your smile. And then I would tell the world about the way you hold my hand, and they would understand." Aaawwwwww...

You Picked Me [mp3] - A Fine Frenzy - "One Cell in the Sea" (iTunes). This song is very close to being too cheesy, but it's a pretty song and overall I like the sentiment it expresses of finding someone special amongst the millions of people in the world.

Oh, It Is Love [mp3] - Hellogoodbye - "Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs!" (iTunes). I actually wanted to post Here (In Your Arms), a sweet almost dance-able song about one of my favorite things - cuddling. I also like how how it emphasizes the joy in even the smallest of touches, like your cheeks brushing. But I can't post that one, so I'm posting this one instead, a very cute alternative.

Spoon Me [mp3] - Ohm - "Star Fall" (iTunes unavailable). I think the title is self-explanatory.

Fading in C# Minor [mp3] - Una - "One" (iTunes). For most of you this song might not be that romantic, but - as someone currently in a long-distance relationship - the longing that this song expresses is something that I can relate to.

Love Song [mp3] - Sheila Nicholls - "Wake" (iTunes unavailable). I was torn between this and her song Bread and Water (another song with an intense sense of longing - "it's bread and water without you...") but I already posted Bread and Water somewhat recently, and this song is a nice, positive song about love.

Thank You [mp3] - Dido - "No Angel" (iTunes). I almost didn't want to post this because it was so overplayed years ago, but it really is a great love song about how that special someone can magically make everything ok. Dido has a lot of great love songs like Here With Me, Take My Hand, and the rather sad White Flag.

These Words (I Love You, I Love You) [mp3] - Natasha Bedingfield - "Unwritten" (iTunes). Another song I was hesitant to post because of overplay when it came out (and I know you hipsters are probably trying not to throw up again). Also another song about writing a love song. And she's right, there's no better way to say "I love you."

My Man (Medley) [mp3] - Regina Spektor - "Live at Bull Moose" (iTunes unavailable). A mildly disturbing song about a very unhealthy relationship, but I think that everyone experiences this kind of totally unhealthy blind love at some point.

Fairytale [mp3] - Sara Bareilles - "Careful Confessions" (iTunes). This is a song for all you bitter V-day haters out there. A sasssy, cynical commentary on the unrealistic romance of fairytales. Again, I was torn between this and her song Love Song, another slightly bitter song ("I'm not going to write you a love song cuz you asked for it, cuz you need one..."). Something tells me Ms. Bareilles has not had the best of luck with men.

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