Let's go back to 1992 - a huge year for rock with monster releases like Metallica's self-titled Black Album, U2's reinvention with Achtung Baby, and Nirvana's genre-defining Nevermind. Amid this grunge takeover, a little indie pop record from Australia managed to sneak onto the U.S. charts. Frente's debut, Marvin the Album, completely opposed the heavy, distorted sounds dominating the airwaves.
Led by Angie Hart's breathy, angelic vocals and Simon Austin's intricate acoustic guitar work, Frente carved out their own delicate, intimate sound, blending folk and delicate alternative rock. Songs like "Girl" and "Most Beautiful" showcase Hart's captivating voice, accompanied by little more than piano and sparse instrumentation. It's the lush, understated vibe that didn't fit the angsty, anti-establishment ethos of 1992.
And yet, the album managed to quietly make some waves, reaching #75 on the Billboard 200 and topping the "Heatseekers" chart for new artists. Their cover of New Order's "Bizarre Love Triangle" even cracked the top 50, introducing Frente's dreamy brand of indie pop to the mainstream. For fans of bands like the Cardigans or later acts like She & Him, Marvin feels like a precursor arrived ahead of its time.
Of course, whether Marvin the Album ultimately worked as a cohesive artistic statement is up for debate. The production is filled with bizarrely baffling choices and just wait until you get an earful of the jarring free jazz detour on "See Believe"...
So, was this a lovely little dream pop time capsule unjustly overshadowed by bigger names? Or a disjointed, uneven effort that rightly got swallowed by grunge's dominance?
We'd love for you to listen and tell us where you land on Frente's forgotten 1992 gem, Marvin the Album. Did the intimate charms and Hart's angelic vocals win you over despite the shoddy production? Or did the missteps outweigh the highlights? Share your take after listening to it!
Songs in this Episode
Intro - Accidently Kelly Street
23:17 - No Time
27:00 - Cuscatlan
32:38 - 1.9.0
35:23 - Ordinary Angels
39:58 - Most Beautiful
Outro - Labour of Love
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Frente! - Marvin the Album