Liam Finn - 'I'll Be Lightning' (Transgressive) Released 14/07/08

There are many artists who's sons/daughters follow in parents footsteps, sometimes this a good thing but often its not, however for Liam Finn its a testament to his ability to stand out as an artist in his own right instead of being constantly reminded that his Dad is Neil Finn of Crowded House. Although me telling you that may just have invalidated that statement. Liam really is a jack of all trades, writing all the songs, playing all the instruments, producing and engineering, then recorded the whole album in analog at his Father's recording studio in Auckland, he even self-timed the cover photo! At the age of 24 years old, the talented singer-songwriter from New Zealand shares qualities seen in the likes of Conor O'Berst and Sufjan Stevens, producing melodic experimental tinged folk tunes.
 
'Better to Be' opens the album with funky bass lines and ragged grooves which captures your attention instantly. Vocally he bears resemblance to his father, however also holds comparisons to previously mentioned Conor O'Berst. The track shines lyrically with his story telling technique of love and loss "...Spoiling appetite/Bigger eyes than belly size/Baby, baby I’ll be gone/You fooled me once or twice/The boy inside can’t unwind…" 'Second Chance' is full of wistful melodies, the track is layered with scrunched-up guitars, sensual strings and harp which is mashed with drums that are tribal sounding in places and a mesmerising bass line, which is all tied together with the use of electronics. The lyrics about the prospect of growing old are short, sweet and simple, repeating a verse, a chorus and a bridge over and over again, building up to a frenzy and the instrumentation goes haywire. "...You stand around your haunted home/ Those demons won't leave you alone/ Don't forget me when you grow old..". Defiantly an album highlight and summer sun anthem. 'Lead Balloon' opens like a 90's Blur track, then dramatically turns a corner from being Brit-pop to a darker heavier track not unlike the Pixies as he yells like a young Frank Black 'I know what I’m Looking For", the track changes for a third time as he lapses into very subdued and pensive outro.
 
'Lullaby' is stripped back and natural sounding, with minimal instrumentation and beautiful harmonies that sounds like a church choir. The track takes a solemn approach however it sits comfortably next to the funkier numbers on the album. The strings along with the haunting echoes and backing vocals gives it a gothic feel and shows how versatile Liam can be. 'Music Moves My Feet' see's him moving into a more beatle-esque style, with catchy hooks that point to a childhood of listening to Beatles records, however its title track 'I'll Be Lightning' that really shows his comparison to The Beatles. The track opens and before the vocal hits, you'd think it was a lost Lennon track, the vocal however bears resemblance to Lennon too. The track is backed with chuckles and laughter throughout, and musically full of texture with white-noise style guitars and ghostly choir backing vocals. His lyrical style on the track mirrors that of Lennon/Macca, "...Someone's vicious love/Make me writhe around/All I need is one/All I need is one...". Short, catchy and has you singing along after the first listen.
 
'I'll Be Lightning' is an album with a full variety of sounds which has unexpected twists and turns throughout, tones deviate from strict succession of regularly spaced strong and weak beats, along with pulsing rhythms. The diversity of his instrumentation, from rocking guitars and mellow strings really shows you his love of textures and layering. The album is stunning from start to finish, a real summer charmer.