Liam Finn "The Nihilist"

 

Was very anxious to hear this new release.  I figured it would build upon the promise of his last record and also by his participation in his dad's most recent slab o' genius.  Alas, it's probably my least favorite of his small discography but it's a keeper, nonetheless.

I noted similarities to his earlier work but this is more John & Yoko than just John due to friend/collaborator Eliza Jane Barnes (yep, Jimmy's daughter... quite the lineage between these two, eh?), who is more prominent in the vocal mix this time. 



Yeah, he's a rebel.  Official video for a track called "Snug As Fuck."  "Airplay be damned, I say!"

My notes repeated the term "complicated" though there were a couple of songs, one named for Mrs. Tim Burton, which could be called pop.  I didn't say "hits," did I?  Even these tracks have way too much going on for terrestrial radio.  Here is the other of the two...



My absolute favorite tune closes the record.  "Wrestling With Dad" does exactly that, wringing Split Enz-ish influences into a shallow pool of Cure tendencies. 

One of my favorite review sites opined that more than a few of Finn's fans would be "a bit puzzled" (that's me) but also labeled him "bold" and "visionary."  I was moved to the point of checking his tour, discovering that he just wrapped up a handful of dates domestically as a support act to Warpaint (who?????). 

Oh, well, maybe next time...