Craig Finn, for the uninitiated, is the front man of American indie
rockers The Hold Steady and this is his debut solo album shortly to be
released.
Craig has left the more guitar driven sound of The Hold Steady
behind for this album and instead has opted for a more laid back, lo-fi
sound. He has added a healthy dose of Americana into the mix which
coupled with his narrative vocal style all comes together in a highly
listenable album.
The vocal delivery of Craig is the defining element to the album, he
has a distinctive, almost spoken style which comes across as a mix
between Randy Newman and Tom Waits. He has a similar song writing to the
afore mentioned pair with every song telling a story of life and love.
Album opener ‘When No One’s Watching’ is probably the closest the
disc gets to The Hold Steady sound with an excellent rhythmic groove and
great guitar playing, anyone familiar with Emmy Lou Harris’s
contemporary output would recognise a few cues here. Other tracks of
note are the uptempo, country tinged, ‘ New Friend Jesus’, ‘ Terrified
Eyes’, ‘Rented Room’, which is a slow building number which ends on a
high, and finally ‘ Not Much Left Of Us’ rounds things off nicely with
again a country tinged feel, pedal steel and all.
Craig has delivered an album to chill to, headphones on, lights
dimmed and drink in hand. A perfect way to unwind at the end of the day.
Go on, treat yourself.
David Wilson
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
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Power Plays w/c 13 May 2024
THE FEVER KINGS Nowhere To Hide (indie)
STONETRIP Beautiful You (Golden Robot Records)
ONLAP Ghosts (AFM Records)
DEFENCES The Curse (Long Branch Records)
LATE NIGHT TROUBLE Pretty Little Thing (indie)
IANN BRENNAN Game Over (AGR Records)
CICADASTONE Last In Line (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 13 May 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023
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Lovely little album proving Craig Finn has a real storyteller's gift through song. A proper solo album as well in that only one or two songs sound liek the Hold Steady.