Review by Stefan Shepherd

New review of 'Fascinating Creatures' by NPR's Stefan Shepherd at: http://zooglobble.blogspot.com/

"I initially approached Frances England's 2006 debut album Fascinating Creature as if I were playing a game of "spot-the-influence." Did I hear Elizabeth Mitchell (who recorded a low-key and lo-fi debut CD a number of years ago)? Did I hear Cat Power or Yo La Tengo, a couple artists England herself cites an influences?

And after a couple spin-throughs, I thought that to play that game was unfair to England, who has recorded one of the most adventurous children's music albums in some time, quite unlike anything out there at the moment.

England wrote all 12 songs on the album and recorded it with her husband's cousin Billy Riggs...." (see more)

Enjoy!

Fascinating Creatures Debuts!!!!

I've been MIA for the last 4-5 months working on a childrens CD with my beloved family.  It's been great, very time consuming, but very rewarding.  Recently earning two reviews on Spare the Rock Spoil the Child and Kids Music that Rocks

Warren Truit of Kids Music That Rocks described the album as a:

"powerfully simple, simply powerful collection of songs... Other than Ms. England’s voice, all you’ll hear are strummed guitars, maracas, the occasional clave, and a rare visit from a drum set. Ghostly, distant notes float across many of the songs, along with faint, whispery backing vocals. If Daniel Lanois produced Sam Phillips, the result might sound a little like Fascinating Creatures, but to be honest this CD is so wonderfully unique, it’s hard to properly describe.

Suburban childhood activities abound: planting a little garden; painting; riding a tricycle; wondering where trains, planes and boats go when they leave our sight; reading favorite books; eating pancakes.

The highlight is the title track, a song that should be on everyone’s best-of-2006 list. Dreamy, unadorned, cosmic…one can’t say enough about this song. The inadvertently audible hum of a guitar amp and the imperfect tempo make the tune even more beautiful. The buzzy chorus of “Busy As a Bee” will make a great Toddler Time sing along, and on “Charlie Parker” you get a who’s who of bebop, plus the scat chorus is impossible not to sing along with.

At about 29 minutes, Fascinating Creatures is a short but quietly powerful little CD. If you’re alone, listen to the album on your headphones while you lie on your back in the middle of a grassy field. If you’re hanging out with your kid, play this record while you color together or plant seedlings in an old egg carton. This is a truly indie-rock kids’ album...

I'm very proud of my production and performance on this album and ask that you check it out and buy a copy at: www.francesengland.com

PeAcE

billy