Classic Albums : Liam Finn - I'll Be Lightning
(2007)

Review by Sean Lynch

Watch The Single "Second Chance": Click Here
Read 'Liam Finn: Live @ The Toff" Review: Click Here

With the music industry a shoadow of it's former self (thanks to auto-tune) we thought we should look back at a classic album that may have slipped under the radar. This week, it's Liam Finn's epic "I'll Be Lightning".

If history has taught me anything, it's that every five years there will be one artist, musician, film or song that will  redirect the course of your life. Whether it's changing your lifestyle, changing your mood, changing your clothes or even changing friends. Liam Finn (former Betchadupa front man and son of Crowded House's Neil Finn) made me change my face.

That's right, this pint sized New Zealander inspired me not only with the superb melodies from his debut solo album "I'll Be Lightning", he also inspired me to embark on one of the most challenging endeavors of my life. Finn inspired me to grow a beard.

But facial hair isn't the only thing that Finn offers, far from it. The long awaited release of "I'll Be Lightning" is one of the most wonderfully crafted albums I have heard in some time. Is it because of the iresisstible melodies and tunes? Is it the spooky use of Elliott Smith-esque overlayed vocals? Is it because almost every instrument is played Finn himself (live and on the album)? Or is it simply one of those unexplained phenomenon's by which you become completely entranced by a piece of music.

While Finn's previous outing with Betchadupa were fantastic, the albums always seemed to be struggling to decided whether they were appealing to the mainstream or the underground - which ultimately led to the bands demise. And while that is a shame ("Alphabethchadupa" and "Aiming For Your Head" are two albums worth checking out), it has lead to Finn being released of any outside pressure and make an album that is truly unique.

I'm hard pressed to find one track here that is unlikeable. And while those unfamiliar to the Liam Finn world may take some time to get tuned into the mood of the album, the ditties eventually will burrow into your brain.

Another of the album's key strengths is Finn's ability to pack in some fantastic imagery into such succinct lyrics. Little burst of wisdom that wouldn't seem out of place in a fortune cookie.

Tell me love isn't true
Is this just a trick to procreate?

Drown your dreams in alcohol
Underneath the breath you hold
It's true

and my personal favourite from Energy Spent:

I'm not broken, just a little energy spent and it's a long way from here
With a towel on my hips
And the salt on my lips
I'm starting to look like a homeless
With a beard on my chin

Music Moves My Feet works a treat, and like an earwig, will not leave your brain. Fire In Your Belly, Remember Me and Energy Spent are the sorts of songs which seem so completely foreign - yet so fantastically familiar - like you have grown up singing them in the bath.

Better To Be works well, however lacks the enjoyable rawness that it possesses when played live - as does Lead Balloon. The title track, I'll Be Lighting, is  another track that works well live but the album version and the live version are almost two completely separate entities - with the album version a fantastically epic John Lennon-esque achievement.

However, "I'll Be Lightning"s perfection belongs to three songs.

Second Chance:
The albums first single, and one of the most remarkably beautiful tunes to come out of Australia/New Zealand in the last decade. It's slightly quirky, it's painfully sweet and intricately constructed. An absolute gem.

Gather To The Chapel:
Sobering, uplifting and reflective. It's simple chorus will stick with you for days. Liam's reflection on the death of Paul Hester? Or something completely unrelated? Who knows, but be sure of one thing, this will certainly get a few spins on one of those dreaded "Death" episodes on a TV drama real soon!

Wise Man:
While fellow fans will question my choice of listing Wise Man as one of the albums finest points (and admittedly, Wide Awake On The Voyage Home narrowly missed out on making the Top 3), I simply can't go past it's traditional musical structure and straight forward likeablilty. Sure, it's not as individual and distinctive as the rest of the album - but who needs that when you can sing along in the car?

While there will always be comparisons to his famous father (and there is no avoiding it, with the voice similarities and Split Enz-like melodic quirkiness prevelant throughout) Liam Finn's first solo outing is as good as one could to hope to expect. It's not an album made for any particular audience, it's an album made for the sake of music - and that's why the ideas come across so rich and fresh.

One of the best advertisements for the return of the beard into pop culture.

It was easily one of the best albums of 2007, but the most under rated too. Finn's efforts since haven't reached such lofty heights - nor has his audience broadened. Let's hope there is still more genius to come.

ALBUM RATING: 5 out of 5