''Bomb in a Birdcage'' is the second studio album by A Fine Frenzy, the stage name of American singer-songwriter

Alison Sudol Alison Sudol (born December 23, 1984) is an American actress, singer, songwriter and music video director. She is known as the singer A Fine Frenzy, and for her role as Queenie Goldstein in ''Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'' (2016), as ...

. The album was released on August 28, 2009 in Germany and on September 8, 2009 in the United States.

Background and release

''Bomb in a Birdcage'' debuted at #28 on the US ''Billboard'' 200, a career high for Sudol. The album's singles were digitally released via

iTunes iTunes () is a software program that acts as a media player, media library, mobile device management utility, and the client app for the iTunes Store. Developed by Apple Inc., it is used to purchase, play, download, and organize digital mul ...

: "Blow Away" in July 2009, followed by "Happier" and "Electric Twist" in 2010. Two bonus tracks were also included with exclusive editions of the album on iTunes and

Amazon MP3 Amazon Music (previously Amazon MP3) is a music streaming platform and online music store operated by Amazon. Launched in public beta on September 25, 2007, in January 2008 it became the first music store to sell music without digital rights man ...

respectively: "Coming Around" and "Silent War". The album's title is taken from the end of the LP's first song, "What I Wouldn't Do", where Sudol sings: "It was now and we were both in the same place / Didn't know how to say the words / With my heart ticking like a bomb in a birdcage / I left before someone got hurt." In an iTunes podcast about "The World Without," Sudol revealed that she felt ''Bomb in a Birdcage'' is about "two totally messed up people trying to stay afloat despite all the odds."

Track listing

Critical response

''Bomb in a Birdcage'' received generally positive reviews, with most reviewers praising Sudol's songwriting but divided on Sudol's success at broadening her musical horizons beyond ''

One Cell in the Sea ''One Cell in the Sea'' is the debut studio album by A Fine Frenzy, the stage name of American singer-songwriter Alison Sudol, released under Virgin Records on July 17, 2007. The album debuted at #158 on the ''Billboard'' 200 and later peaked ...

''. Kerri Mason of ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

'' gave the album a favorable review. Mason was impressed with Sudol's musical growth, noting that she "builds on the more ethereal qualities" of ''One Cell in the Sea'', concluding that ''Bomb in a Birdcage'' "shows there's much more up udol'sbillowy sleeve." Andrew Leahey of

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

gave the album four of five stars, calling it "a lively piece of work" and concluded that ''Bomb in a Birdcage'' is "a fitting display of the explosives this songbird now has in her arsenal." Mackenzie Wilson of ''

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'' magazine noted that "simple pop moments such as "What I Wouldn't Do" and "Happier" showcase udol'ssongwriting chops as well as her artistic confidence." Matthew Tsai of Decoy Music was less impressed with the album, giving it three stars, but noted that "overall, the album sheds a joyful radiance" and conceded, "it may be intricate, but it is undoubtedly not forgettable." James Shotwell of ''Under the Gun Review'' called the album "beautiful and moving" and praised Sudol's ability to " alkthe fine line between simplistic and lush." On mxdwn.com, Charlee Redman called ''Bomb in a Birdcage'' "pretty pop with an edge" and "a pleasant listen, and maybe a sign of new directions to come."

Charts

References

2009 albums A Fine Frenzy albums Virgin Records albums {{2000s-indie-rock-album-stub