Band To Watch: Liam Finn
We like to wait 'til we've got a full record to play with before whipping out the BTW brand, but one listen of the masterful pop composition "Second Chance" sealed 23-year-old Liam Finn's fate with no need for second chances, or guesses. On his debut LP, the Kiwi takes all the writing credits and most of the musical ones, too, a one-man band approach apparently he recreates during his heralded live gigs, jumping from bass and guitar loops to the drums and back to the mic. Didn't realize it at the time, but we saw him at Coachella, on stage with Crowded House. Nice gig, but there was a bit of nepotism to Liam's securing that slot (note the last name). Royal rock pedigree, but more than just the name Liam got his pop Neil's songcrafting genes.
The all-analog debut I'll Be Lightning boasts 14 tracks, but like we said, all you'll need is one pass at "Second Chance." Lyrically haunted by demons and honest amnesia, Finn supplants the song's mellow, wistful head for a jittery pop-noir shuffle suiting his tempo-driving drum fills. The track...
Liam Finn - "Second Chance" (MP3)
And a chance to watch him switch from guit to kit...
The CMJ bound have two chances to get a glance of Liam live, at Yep Roc's proper showcase 10/18 or their party the following day. It'll be awhile longer to get a copy of the full-length; I'll Be Lightning is out in the States 1/22/08 on Yep Roc. Hear more at MySpace.
Posted at 3:42 PM in Band To Watch, MP3
Tags: Liam Finn
I'll say he's the second best musical act from New Zealand. That title is already occupied, naturally, by Flight of the Conchords...with special mention to Murray of course.
Posted by: Jeff at September 27, 2007 4:33 PM | ReplyScore = 0
I saw him perform live a few weeks ago, and didn't like it at all. So there ya go.
Posted by: Memememe at September 27, 2007 4:50 PM | ReplyScore = 0
Yay for him being heard of outside of New Zealand. Been meaning to get his album for a while. His band Betchadupa are pretty cool.
Posted by: stef-k at September 27, 2007 4:53 PM | ReplyScore = 0
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Liam's "I'll be lightning" is an incredible album, every listen leaves you grinning and at the same time, surprised, it's not often that we get an album of this quality produced in NZ. It has an amazing maturity and has the right amounts of quiet delicate vs noisey madness. I love it and would recommend it to anyone, by the 20th listen you'll have it stuck up there in your top 10 albums of the year...D
Posted by: Dave at September 27, 2007 5:54 PM | ReplyScore = 0
I saw Betchadupa play at SXSW a few years ago and was happy to see him put out a solo album. Good stuff.
Posted by: t at September 27, 2007 6:25 PM | ReplyScore = 0
the record is killer.
i've got two additional mp3s at my blog.
Posted by: maxx at September 27, 2007 7:53 PM | ReplyScore = 0
File under: Self-indulgent Rich Kid Noise
Posted by: Andrew at September 27, 2007 8:01 PM | ReplyScore = 0
saw him a few weeks back...sure sounds like his dad. other than that...shrug.
Posted by: nark at September 27, 2007 9:13 PM | ReplyScore = 0
Happy to see a Liam Finn mention on Stereogum finally, he really is a talented fellow. Loved the previous Betchadupa work and his new material. People should stop comparing him to his father and/or uncle. It's hard to really listen to and feel new music when you already have a predisposed opinion over someone.
Posted by: Jessica at September 27, 2007 9:50 PM | ReplyScore = 0
boring - another beardo with family dough this time around, booshit
Posted by: gimme at September 28, 2007 11:32 AM | ReplyScore = 0
I saw him play in Portland recently and thought he was great - he came on early before the other two acts that night (Pete Yorn & Crowded House) and really won over a crowd that was initially not paying much attention. Loved what I heard, and he's got a great stage presence to boot.
Posted by: wink at September 28, 2007 3:33 PM | ReplyScore = 0
wink, I saw the same exact tour in California & thought Liam was amateurish & screechy. Didn't like Pete Zorn either. Five guitarists and a drummer?
Posted by: Memememe at September 29, 2007 2:38 PM | ReplyScore = 0
1) Liam Finn - Second Chance - "Jam"
Jam To Crap Score: 1/3 - *33.3%*
*Certified Crap Free*
Reviewed By: DJ Monster Jam
For more Jam To Crap Scores visit:
Posted by: DJ Monster Jam at October 1, 2007 11:13 AM | Replyhttp://www.areyoucrappingme.com
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Bring Back Betchadupa!
Posted by: julio at October 2, 2007 9:50 AM | ReplyScore = 0
agree with beardo comment.
i hate the faux-artfag-hipster dancing and oh-i-just-love-leaping-in-fields and shit.
the songs are self-indulgent pretentious crap too.
he'll probably win the stupid songwriter of the year award here though.
Posted by: mungles at October 4, 2007 6:26 AM | ReplyScore = 0
I absolutely love the album and Second chance. The song is probably the best of this year.
Posted by: Raymond at October 4, 2007 9:04 AM | ReplyScore = 0
This guy is genuinely talented and a thrill to watch. Saw him open for Crowded House a couple of months ago and am kicking myself for not buying his CD at the show.
Posted by: Steve at November 13, 2007 11:48 PM | ReplyScore = 0
For a kiwi, this bloke comes up with some seriously good tunes. The album's brilliant, especially "Second Chance", "Better To Be", "Wise Man", "Gather To The Chapel" and "Fire In The Belly". Buy it now! One of the best albums of 2007 for sure.
Posted by: Rambo at December 23, 2007 3:15 AM | ReplyScore = 0
Those of you dissing him for his looks and background, have you even heard the CD? It won me over first listen and has been on high rotation these last five months. Shouldn't the music be more important than the image and pedigree?
Posted by: Grace at January 12, 2008 8:17 AM | ReplyScore = 0
just another case of people showing what a bunch of jackasses they are. What, if you're born into a family with wealth and fame, surely you can't have any talent? What a bunch of close-minded idiots some of you are. Liam writes great songs, just like his dad does. You people dissing him simply because of his "pedigree" are probably failed musicians who are jealous that you don't have his connections.
Posted by: shannon at February 17, 2008 11:20 PM | ReplyScore = 0