CD: Neil & Liam Finn – Lightsleeper

Once pleasingly described on the Flight of the Conchords radio show as "the King of New Zealand", Neil Finn has a new gift for his subjects (and the rest of the world, happily) in the form of this album, which sees him recording with son Liam for the first time. 

Neil and Liam have toured together a lot, joining forces in 2015 and sharing the setlists. They decided to continue the collaboration in the studio, with the curious Lightsleeper the result. The family theme (in both personnel and thematic terms) goes beyond father and son, though, with Sharon Finn – Neil’s wife and Liam’s mum – dropping in on bass for a couple of tracks, and Liam’s brother Elroy Finn on drums for seven songs. Drumming services are also provided by one Mick Fleetwood who is also now, of course, Fleetwood Mac bandmates with Neil. 

The highlight is the seven-minute “Where’s My Room”, by turns jazzy and lush and speckled with electro sounds. A gorgeous piano-led interlude stops the listener in their tracks at the mid point, before the track continues along its bass-driven funky path. Honourable mentions must also go to “We Know What It Means”, and “Anger Plays a Part”, whose intro briefly echoes Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” before blooming into a swoonsome, wistful track that proves those Finns really do have a way with a melody. 

Not all of Lightsleeper is as immediate or successful – “Hiding Place”, for example, is a bit too woozy and meandering – but there is still much to enjoy on this intriguing collaboration.

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@EllieVanHalen