Hyvonen's new disc is a incredible tour de force. Featuring some of the freshest songwriting in years, the collection is at times simultaneously passionate, tough and vulernable. Frida's haunting melodies and poignant lyrics linger long after the music's gone.
I bought this CD after seeing Frida play at the Beat Kitchen in Chicago with Bishop Allen. She put on quite a show with nothing but her voice, her piano, and a glass of white wine (which a member of the audience kindly refilled mid-set).
I am not particularly sure about her influences or what to compare her to but Joni Mitchell, Laura Nyro, Carole King, etc are all decent starting places. I don't want to paint her as a Tori Amos clone either for the simple reason because she is a girl with a piano. Either way it is safe to say that anyone who really appreciates female artists of this sort will definitely like Frida!
Lyrically I find her interesting. The article in the Chicago weekly, The Reader, which convinced me to attend the gig described her as a reluctant feminist. Overall, great Swedish import. Go see her and buy this CD!
