Alison Sudol, singer/songwriter and pianist for A Fine Frenzy, is this week's AOL Radio guest blogger, revealing her favorite songs; and for all you fans out there, you'll enjoy her list, as in addition to her Frenzy-sounding picks Sufjan Stevens and Nick Drake, she also included Ethiopian pianist Tsegué-Maryam Guébrouin and new wave leaders The Talking Heads. Be sure to check out her list below, and download A Fine Frenzy's most recent album, 'Bomb in a Birdcage.'
10) Aphex Twin: 'Flim'
This song completely blew my mind when i first heard it. I love that it is so frenetic and yet so calm, and each instrument is so beautiful and unearthly.
9) Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou: 'The Song of Abayi'
This song sounds like a clearing in the woods just after a rainfall -- water dripping off the leaves, the sun poking through the clouds, birds shaking off their feathers and all the other creatures coming out from their cozy shelters to greet each other.
8) Simon & Garfunkel: 'The Only Living Boy in New York'
I pretty much love everything I've ever heard of Simon & Garfunkel, so I just chose this song as one of many that I love. I wish more people in this generation listened to them. They made such beautiful music -- sweet, but edgy, beautiful lyrics, gorgeous vocals and incredible harmonies. I draw so much inspiration from them.
7) Ray LaMontagne: 'I Still Care for You'
Oh, how I love Ray LaMontagne. His voice haunts me. This song sounds like it was stolen from a dream. It is somehow disorienting -- I feel like I lose my footing and all sense of where I am and which way is up whenever I listen to it... I like that very much. He really is spectacular.
6) Nick Drake: 'Place to Be'
Nick Drake, how someone so tortured had the ability to soothe so many other souls is a wonder, a miracle and yet deeply sad. This song is so beautiful. I wish he had been able to stay with us longer and give us more of his beautiful music. At least he gave us some.
5) My Morning Jacket: 'Golden'
I love this song! It sounds like something wondrous is about to happen. The instrumentation is gorgeous and the vocals are ... ahem... quite sexy.
4) Sufjan Stevens: 'To Be Alone With You'
This song is slightly eerie and yet so gorgeous... lyrically ambiguous, vulnerable and poignant, it's the kind of song that will make you cock your head to the side and say "huh?" then push play ten more times.
3) Beirut: 'Postcards From Italy'
This song is a sonic vacation. it takes me immediately to somewhere beautiful, bustling and exotic, a happy place indeed; even if I'm listening to it in disgusting L.A. traffic.
2) Talking Heads: 'Air'
This song has the craziest chord progression, and it's completely off-kilter but rad rad rad. one wonders how on earth anyone could write a song like this.
1) Bob Dylan: 'Shelter From the Storm'
I love Bob Dylan, and this song is a masterpiece. Such a clear picture he is able to paint, such emotion he can conjure with his voice... This song is timeless, perfect from top to bottom. if it's playing in the car when I pull up to my house, I'll sit in the dark and listen until the last note has rung out. This song is a home, a place to turn to when one has nowhere else to go. It's a reminder that there's always a light at the end of the tunnel, shelter from the storm for all of us...
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