I figured I couldn’t properly review the second album by singer/songwriter Liam Finn without knowing what it’s title meant. Turns out, [amazon-product text=”Fomo (buy)” tracking_id=”popblerdcom-20″ type=”text”]B004Z9AKDO[/amazon-product]FOMO stands for “Fear of Missing Out”. After listening to the album, I can say you’re missing out if you don’t pick it up.
Finn’s bloodline almost guarantees a pleasant listening experience-after all, his father is Neil Finn of Crowded House/Finn Brothers/Split Enz/solo fame, one of the greatest and perhaps most underrated) songwriters of the past three decades. While Neil’s music is occasionally echoed in his son’s work, there’s definitely not a carbon copy John/Julian Lennon thing happening here. Liam’s work is a little more atmospheric, a bit more whimsical. Turns out FOMO is quite similar in scope to Liam’s debut, I’ll Be Lightning, with a slightly better pop sensibility.
The McCartney-esque “Cold Feet” could potentially become an American radio hit (with an edit of the slightly out-there drum solo at the end), as could the harder-rocking “Reckless”. Even without the immediate hookiness of those two songs, the rest of the album harbors quite a few gems-“Roll of the Eye” is an adventurous little track, album opener “Neurotic World” spotlights Liam’s schoolboy tenor, and the bass-heavy “Struggle” is another highlight.
Although seeing Liam live is a completely superior experience to listening to one of his records (the man playing every instrument on his album is nothing when compared to seeing him loop himself in concert), FOMO deftly avoids the sophomore jinx by talking the elements that made I’ll Be Lightning so special and fine-tuning them. Relations aside, this kid’s got a pretty bright future ahead of him.
Grade: B
3 comments
Drew says:
Jul 8, 2011
Nice write-up! So far, I think I’m more fond of I’ll Be Lightning, but I like this a bunch too. Honestly, between Liam, Tim, and Neil, I don’t think I can ever pass up an album by a Finn again. (Well, maybe if it was an album by the dude who plays Finn on “Glee”. That I could happily miss.)
I think the only thing holding me back from full-scale adoration is that Liam doesn’t have the finely-hewn pop chops of his pops yet. And I know that it’s different music, and that I shouldn’t want Liam to be a carbon copy, but DAMN does that boy have some great musical genes.
blerd says:
Jul 8, 2011
He absolutely does. I would STRONGLY suggest seeing him in concert. He’s incredibly talented. And absolutely adorable, too.
The Viewfinder: Liam Finn's "Jump Your Bones" | Popblerd!! says:
Sep 21, 2011
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