The idea for this post came to me after fourth spins for both of these records. That's right, four listens. "But hey, Mad, you've sworn to three spins before writing. What gives?" These two CD's were separated by a couple of others in the changer, so over a few weeks it finally dawned on me that I had not committed the first note about either to the recorder. That is highly unusual for my opinionated ass, but I realized that subconsciously I must have been awaiting certain expectations I had for both. So let's begin with the best of the two, and of course, the least known.
Liam Finn, son of Neil Finn of Split Enz and Crowded House fame. Been playing with dad since he was a kid. This is another in the "like father, like son" musical edition, and for you who know me, that is mighty high praise. My favorite songwriting team? Lennon/McCartney. Second favorite? Tim & Neil Finn. It also goes without saying that any one of those four names as a solo composer has had my full attention over the years, too. Add Liam Finn to that list. Couldn't do that with the Lennon boys. Mark my words, Liam Finn will be very famous soon enough.
This album, much like the debut in 2008, "I'll Be Lightning", took three spins before the genius began to grab hold. "...Lightning" was a manic, aggressive, youthful slab of pop bombast, with Liam playing damn near everything on 13 of the 14 tracks. That album had Split Enz sensibilities throughout. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) also has LF playing the majority of instruments, with a strong blast of studio perfectionism and an obvious sense of heightened maturity. He has now morphed from dad's bands' influences into the actual influences. That's correct, FOMO strikes me as a record one John Lennon could have made. There are a couple of tracks here ("Roll of the Eye" for certain) that could be "Double Fantasy" outtakes. I'm sure he'll take his female musical partner, Eliza Jane Barnes (yep, Jimmy is her daddy), out on tour again to handle the higher vocal registers, though Liam is doing the parts on the record. There are also several 60's-era sounding pieces, one being the first single, "Cold Feet." I'll let you search for the video on your own. It's not going to help sell anything here in the States. I will give you a link to his domestic label's YT account and the audio-only track "The Struggle." Read the comments and you'll see I'm not the only one who gets it. This track is closer to the aggressiveness of the first album, but FOMO simmers more than boils. The album has been out a couple of months now and has had some buzz. Most reviewers mention the Shins as a comparison, and I've seen TV on the Radio in others, though I don't get that one at all. Therein lies the difference between the younger music journalists (Shins, TVonR) and my old arse (Enz and Lennon).
See? It's fine. My wife thinks she's listening to Neil Young until I correct her, but I believe she's slowly growing to appreciate a new band, an unusual feat for one so rooted in Classic Pop/Rock. Finally, at track 6, the title song, I started to hear the musical growth I had so hoped for. Four tracks later, the eight-minute "The Shrine/An Argument", and you have the Foxes greatest song yet, complete with its blast of avant-garde jazz that I guarantee will jolt the unenlightened.
"...Blues" finally delivered in its last thirty minutes. Can't fault the band for mining what works and cashing in (Top 5 album). If I was entertaining a group of friends at the homestead, I'd put this record on low volume and have it blend into the background. FOMO is just the opposite, a
front-heavy collection of brilliance that I would play for my guests at a louder volume, gently compelling them to hear the innovative, adventurous pop of a future star.
front-heavy collection of brilliance that I would play for my guests at a louder volume, gently compelling them to hear the innovative, adventurous pop of a future star.
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