Record Review - Liam Finn

Liam Finn – I’ll be Lightning


9 out of 10 times if your dad is a rock musician with any sort of success you can almost rest assured that you are destined to produce utterly horrible records. If you don’t believe me pick up a Sean Lennon disc, and then talk to me. Luckily though for music fans Liam Finn, spawn of Crowded House’s Neil Finn, succeeds with his debut I’ll Be Lightning where other rock progenies have failed.

On I’ll Be the Lightning, Finn follows the indie mainstay of writing, producing, and playing almost every instrument on the cd with the exception of a couple of guest spots by his Pops. As you listen to more of the disc, it becomes very present that Neil Finn’s influence is all over this thing. But then again growing up in a household that produced pop gems like “Don’t Dream It’s Over” has got to be hard to ignore. Don’t let Finn’s…Liam’s…use of synthesizers, distorted guitars, looping drums, and choral backgrounds fool you. He’s crafted some really great pop songs that have a lot of repeat play appeal.

Standout tracks: “Better to Be” – killer synth bass line with a The Good, the Bad, & the Queen kinda vibe…also a great breakdown on this one, “Second Chance” – electro poppy goodness which really kicks about a minute and half in, “Fire in Your Belly” – hip jazzy vocal chorus that’s got Manfred Man electro vibe, “Energy Spent” – folky vibe mixed in with drum machine loops, “Wise Man” – accousticy Brit-pop goodness…even though he’s a kiwi.

I’ve been listening to this disc for about a week, and really enjoy its variety while I’m in the office. It’s not too bright and bubbly, but also not all morose and full of shoegazers either…just a bunch of very listenable tracks with a good pop vibe. Lightning is nothing that is going to require your full focus, so it would work brilliantly as a Saturday afternoon cd to pop on at the house on nice day while you’re moving around doing your daily duties.

And yes...I just said doodie.