Strawberry Fair
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Track Listing
Discography
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The first time I mentioned Strawberry Fair, I had no idea it's actually just one person: Jenny Franzén. The talented Franzén wrote, played, recorded, and self-published via CD-R all the music herself.
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Her first proper CD release, I Can't Do Anything, features all the aforementioned writing, producing, recording - down to her drawing of the cover artwork. When I saw the art, I felt as if she's daydreaming about travelling (to a warmer location probably!) or singing on stage and so I've included my drawing reaction.
I was happy to
see a new recording for "Kristoffer" because I have a rough mix
recording of that song from a few years ago.
In fact, Franzén mentioned to me that all the songs on the new EP were written between 2004-2005 and meant to have been included on the My Secret Garden compilation, but she took too long mixing the songs (only "Attack!" made it on the CD).
All these songs have a very 60s girl-pop feel to them, especially "Why Won't He Answer" and "Give Up". Like the 60s girl pop bands, they all seem to involve falling in love - but in Franzén's case, it sounds like she's failing in love and you get the impression that she's painfully shy too.
I just love it!
I have included the main title track, "I Can't Do Anything", which you can download on her myspace.
I'm hoping to hear more songs from Franzén in the future. She definitely has enough songs to release a full length, back in 2003, but the plans didn't fall through. I actually have about 20 songs (from 2003-2005) and since they were all under the 3 minute mark, they all fit in one CD-R for me to listen to in my car.
There's a few gems in the various tracks, so I'm hoping they get remixed or re-recorded and release in the future. These gems includes "Lise Meitner" (a song about the nuclear scientist that was denied the Nobel Peace Prize), "Heaven Only Knows" (a Shangri-Las cover), and "Untitled" (I'm sure she's come up with a proper title now).
I'm also pleased to see that she's recently allowed "Regression" and "Football Star" for download on her last.fm. These songs, along with "Unbuoyancy", appears on her self-titled EP.
I kept skipping back to the beginning, over and over again, on the "Attack!" song, a cover of The Toys. Despite lacking the horns and soulful singing-style of the original, Franzén actually improves on the song. Strawberry Fair's version feels more modern with its lack of doo-wop backing vocals and faster pace. The song constantly moves forward, which reflects the lyrics.
During my
research, I noticed that there is an English traditional song called
"Strawberry Fair" (you can listen to samples the folky song on iTunes).
I haven't verified this, of course, but I'm guessing that Franzén took
this song for her stage name? Edit: the name comes from a My Little Pony of the same name.
As I was going to Strawberry Fair,
Singing, singing, buttercups and daisies,
I met a maiden taking her wares, fol-de-dee.
Her eyes were blue and golden her hair,
As she went on to Strawberry Fair.
Well, even if she didn't take that name, the song's still lovely - just like Jenny Franzén.
I Can't Do Anything is out now, head over to facetterad.net for general and ordering information. Also, please be sure to read Strawberry Fair - Where is Alex Taylor Now?.
03/25/2008 00:03:10
vu
my♥posts
myspace.com/strawberryfairswe
Comments
besides from the live recording of "let it snow", these other recordings actually has jenny singing backup and mixing it later in the songs.
Oh, good, then I'm not the only one that made that observation.
The difference is, I think, is that most '60s pop was sung by Brits and Americans, that I can recall. This is someone with a distinct Euro accent, so I think that helps it stand out. In other words, she's not trying hard to sound like an American, like I think some other mainstream Swedish musicians have sometimes done.