Liam Finn: Champagne in Seashells EP
Liam Finn: Champagne in Seashells EP
Also In The News
|
By Matt Hallam. |  |
Friday, 28, Aug 2009 12:37
Transgressive Records, out September 1st.
In a nutshell....
From acoustic to the experimental: DIY indie boy done good
What's it all about?
The EP is Liam Finn's second release as a solo artist, and just like his debut album, it will be released in biodegradable material alongside a unique Polaroid picture. The EP consists of six tracks, with the final track a long running experimental instrumental piece.
Who's it by?
Liam Finn has already made quite a name for himself as the singer in New Zealand band Betchadupa in New Zealand and Australia. He panders to a more indie kind of pop sounding rather similar vocally to his father (Neil Finn of Split Enz and Crowded House), yet with an attraction to all things a little kooky and DIY. Liam Finn released his debut solo album in 2007 called I'll Be Lightning'. The album proved popular around the pop/indie circuit and he began to tour extensively around the world receiving an enthusiastic reception. His live shows are known for his use of numerous pedals, looping equipment and samples alongside acoustic instruments. For this EP and being seen at his live shows is EJ Barnes (daughter of Jimmy Barnes) who fits well with Finn's subtle voice, bringing more depth to the tracks. Liam Finn also became involved with his father Neil Finn's project Seven Worlds Collide with members from Radiohead, Wilco and Johnny Marr. Now after returning to the studio with sound engineer and producer Tchad Blake who has worked with the likes of Gomez, Tom Waits, Pearl Jam and Travis, he produces an EP which will hopefully lead to another album on the way.
As an example...
"I can shed some light upon the way we act sometimes/And notice in your eyes you told an accidental lie/Oo-o-ooh I won't change my mind/Oo-o-ooh I won't change my mind." - Won't Change My Mind
What the others say
"It helps when Neil Finn is your dad. No matter how talented you might be, there's nothing like some family connections to get your foot in the door. When those family connections include the lead singer of Crowded House and Jimmy Barnes, you just know that Christmas gatherings are going to be interesting. That's certainly the case for Liam Finn. Just 25 years old, he's already achieved more in his music career than many do in a lifetime." - Mikolai, Sydney City Search
"Champagne in Seashells is bigger and bolder, revealing new lyrical complexities and pointing in daring new musical directions. It also marks the debut studio collaboration between Liam and live cohort Eliza-Jane. Lead single Long Way To Go encapsulates the magical dynamic of Liam and E-J's chaotic live show whilst tackling the anxieties of air travel, life on the road and homesickness." - Undertheradar.co.nz
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
Given the amount of touring Liam has done and the amount of people he is sure to have impressed with his DIY indie pop, he is sure to be the next 'big thing' (that is, if he isn't already). Although the Grammy's are still far away (and probably not what he is aiming for), Liam has conquered the antipodeans and is working hard to win over the world stage with the recent announcements of support slots for Wilco and Pearl Jam in the next year.
So is it any good?
Long Way To Go is probably the most catchy on the EP, bringing up fond memories for myself of his gig at the Great Escape Festival. The track is a mish-mash of samples and honky-tonk guitar and keys alongside ever so slightly sinister vocals. There is a real sense of heartache and anger behind this track as the guitar growls along to "Cuddle up in London town, antipodean blues/All the days seem longer now and the sea so cruel". The third track Won't Change My Mind is effortlessly antipodean sounding, but beautifully sensitive, with a fuller sound being offered with the addition of Eliza Jane's vocals in the mix. Whilst Liam is probably sick of references to his father Neil, this track has his influence (or maybe it's just his voice) written all over it. This isn't a bad thing. Track six is the longest at an indulgent 8:43. This is completely instrumental and gives a glimpse at how musically and technically, Liam is still set to wow us all. Whilst Liam will probably always be judged in his father's shadow, this EP really shows how much Liam has grown to form his own creative identity, and there is surely much more to come.
It would be nice to see Liam indulge in some more upbeat pop with more samples on his tracks, rather than the slower songs. After seeing him live several times it's obvious that his sampling equipment along with his disjointed, yet somehow fitting offbeat rhythms, is what separates him from all the other indie pop outfits out there. Eliza Jane's deep and breathy voice fit well with Liam's drawn out vocals, like an answer to a call between colliding rhythms and haphazard samples in some tracks. Liam does stripped back luscious acoustic numbers oh so well, but it would nice to see him continue with the more experimental tracks and keep on making music with songbird Eliza Jane Barnes well into the future.
8/10
Gemma Alver