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Sugar Mouse 05-22-2018 12:00 PM

Where To Start With Neil Finn's Back Catalogue
 
I feel very fortunate these days. Fleetwood Mac is one of my favorite bands of all-time. And Neil Finn is one of my favorite songwriters of all-time.

It's very sad that Lindsey is no longer part of the Fleetwood Mac lineup, but I can't think of a better songwriter/lead singer to take Lindsey's place than Neil Finn. Some artists' music gets less interesting the more you listen. Neil's music gets more interesting the more you listen because he packs so many layers into his lyrics and music.

If you're new to Neil Finn's music or just know his song "Don't Dream It's Over" and have interest in hearing more of his music, I would recommend checking out the following great albums.


From Crowded House, check out these two incredible studio albums:

Woodface
Together Alone



From Split Enz, check out the following compilation album:

History Never Repeats: The Best of Split Enz



From Neil's solo career, check out the following two incredible studio albums:

Try Whistling This
Out of Silence



From Neil's career with his brother as The Finn Brothers, check out this great studio album:

Everyone Is Here


And from Neil's career with his 7 Worlds Collide project, check out the outstanding live album:

7 Worlds Collide: Live at The St. James


Enjoy!!!

Missy 05-23-2018 02:26 AM

Thanks for the lists and information, that's a great overall guide.:thumbsup:

It's a shame that Crowded House had a few 'setbacks' early 1990s with their international career. As an Australasian with some US component in my upbringing, I can see how it was a case of different 'cultural sensibilities'. (I find myself trying to be mindful of the same things when I am online.)

I've seen people saying they only know 'Don't Dream It's Over' and INXS were the bigger group. In truth, I think that Crowded House were the better band and deserved the same recognition.

Split Enz And Crowded House became very popular in Australia but Split Enz especially differed from the 'pub rock' type of band that was prevalent in Australia at that time. A lot more depth and intricacy. Layers that yes just make these songs more interesting over time.

In those days if you were from Australasia and trying to get somewhere in the American market, you were advised to go on endless tours of the US. It was something that just broke the spirit of many bands.

I tried putting together a few rough playlists here, I'll probably remember more over time. Everyone has their own favourites and these playlists are nowhere near 'definitive' or totally representative, but a few I enjoy listening to... (Neil has done some different style versions of his own material, and I like the early Split Enz songs in the more recent live versions, so included a few.)

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaM...Rf-w/playlists

Sugar Mouse 05-23-2018 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Missy (Post 1228947)
Thanks for the lists and information, that's a great overall guide.:thumbsup:

I've seen people saying they only know 'Don't Dream It's Over' and INXS were the bigger group. In truth, I think that Crowded House were the better band and deserved the same recognition.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaM...8vyuyFnDsVRf-w

So many great Neil Finn songs over the years ... I'm a huge INXS fan as well but Neil is true songwriting royalty to me. A world-class songwriter and arranger of songs.

Here are some of my all-time favorite Neil songs which, for me, rank as some of the best songs of all-time.

I included my favorite Neil Finn song "Blue Hotel" that he gave to Jimmy Barnes to put on one of his solo albums.





































SteveMacD 05-23-2018 12:32 PM

Even though it’s not Neil, “Persuasion” is one of my favorites.

SisterNightroad 05-23-2018 02:14 PM

Thanks very much guys, I actually wanted something like this, I'm one of those people who only know Don't Dream it's Over. To be fair in the beginning of all this I really didn't know who Neil Finn was then I googled him and Don't Dream it's Over came out and I finally understood; his projects weren't big here but this song was a very appreciated hit. After that I also discovered he was on the soundtrack of The Hobbit, which I had developed a tiny obsession about when the movies first came out. After I finish listening to the entire FM back catalogue I'll start with this.

Sugar Mouse 05-23-2018 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SisterNightroad (Post 1228972)
Thank very much guys, I actually wanted something like this, I'm one of those people who only know Don't Dream it's Over. To be fair in the beginning of all this I really didn't know who Neil Finn was then I googled him and Don't Dream it's Over came out and I finally understood; his projects weren't big here but this song was a very appreciated hit. After that I also discovered he was on the soundtrack of The Hobbit, which I had developed a tiny obsession about when the movies first came out. After I finish listening to the entire FM back catalogue I'll start with this.

Happy to help. Hope you enjoy your journey through Neil's catalogue. It's a spectacular ride.

FuzzyPlum 05-23-2018 03:18 PM

Amongst others I have a real affinity for Pineapple Head

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDMZH0mvc9M

It reminds me of something REM would do. In fact I think he's got a similar ear for a melody to Michael Stipe & co.

Missy 05-23-2018 05:55 PM

@Sugar Mouse that helps bring me more up to date with his recent catalogue, thanks.

I may remember 'I Got You' being in the charts but really only became aware of Split Enz just as they were breaking up. When I listen to that work, or the live versions, the punk influence is more notable to me now. On 'Missing Person' etc.

(They really were offbeat and eccentric - apparently Australian audiences didn't know what to make of them in the beginning. Which is no surprise! But they did prove their music worth.)

Neil's a master of lyricism and subtexts. As well as crafter of enduring melodies. He manages to put in a twist and it just seems to mesh. The way I see it, not so far removed from the Mac style at times.

Was thinking, there should be something on forum devoted to him and what he's about, just not sure of suitable place for it. Neil's a powerful artist in his own right, and I don't think he'll just be simply 'standing in' for Lindsey. (Nobody should really try that anyway.)

Angel75 05-24-2018 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FuzzyPlum (Post 1228976)
Amongst others I have a real affinity for Pineapple Head

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDMZH0mvc9M

It reminds me of something REM would do. In fact I think he's got a similar ear for a melody to Michael Stipe & co.

Pineapple Head is a great song....and I like your comparison to Stipe

Sugar Mouse 05-24-2018 01:36 PM

Neil's songwriting is also known for two elements that make his songs so special. His songs' bridges and codas.

1. The Bridges of His Songs - Neil writes the most sublime bridges (or "middle eight" as Neil likes to call them) for his songs that typically connect the second chorus to the end of the song. Most Neil Finn fans have their favorite Neil Finn middle eight. Some great examples though are "Fall At Your Feet" (which has my favorite bridge of all-time), "Love Is Emotional" (which has my second favorite bridge of all-time), and countless others. See below. I've always thought "Fall At Your Feet" is as close to a perfect song as I've ever heard. Brilliant verses, brilliant chorus, and brilliant bridge. And "Love Is Emotional" is one of those songs that sounds solid through the first two minutes and then that phenomenal bridge hits after the second chorus with the father driving the family home with the kids sleeping in the backseat and he notices his wife sitting next to him crying and then he realizes that their song is playing on the radio ... just breathtaking songwriting.





2. The Codas of His Songs - Neil writes the most exquisite codas to song. While most songwriters simply end songs with repeated choruses, Neil finds beautiful ways to end his songs that leave the listener wanting to press play again. One great example is "Into The Sunset". See below. The coda takes the song is a brand new and emotionally riveting direction.


bwboy 05-24-2018 05:21 PM

I really like Neil's voice on Fall at Your Feet. He has a distinct voice. Thanks for the links, sugar mouse!

Missy 05-25-2018 10:29 PM

@Sugar Mouse you appear to know so much Australia/NZ music, I would've assumed you'd lived here for some time lol.

Probably going a bit off track here, but re Jimmy Barnes - he's from my local city. One of the original wild and raucous rock'n'rollers. These days I think he does too much screaming rather than singing for my tastes. But I really liked his work with Cold Chisel. Not sure if you know of them as well, but they had some very well written songs by Don Walker. Jimmy and Ian Moss also did excellent snging together. You might enjoy some of their work.

Cold Chisel - When The War Is Over

I checked out Neil and Jimmy's duet version of 'Lola'! Liked the parts where Jimmy was singing in tune with Neil. Then he just can't help himself - he has to go into full rock belt. :) That's Jimmy though. He's a 'character'.

Then there's this version of 'Oh Well' with Mick Fleetwood's band. Mick seems to be quite a fan. So yes it's a small world.

Mick Fleetwood's Blues Band (ft. Jimmy Barnes) - Oh Well (Sydney, 03.28.2016)

Sugar Mouse 05-26-2018 10:18 AM

For those who might be interested, Neil Finn just announced that his next album is done and will be released in August. It will be a collaborative project with his son Liam Finn who is an outstanding singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist in his own right.

The new album will be called Light Sleeper. Here is a video of them performing some of the songs on the upcoming album and some old favorites. "Anger Plays A Part" is a particular gem from the new batch of songs. I haven't heard the new album (although I've heard about half of them performed in Neil shows). A friend of mine has actually heard the new album and he said it is very strong.

Neil is in super creative mode having released one of the best albums of his 40+ year career in 2017 (Out of Silence) and another new album coming out in August.

And apparently Neil has almost completed another new album with his brother Tim as The Finn Brothers (Neil writes such great songs with his brother Tim). Neil has said that this album may end up being a studio album or may end up being converted into a musical of some type. The song "Alone" (from the Out of Silence album) was written during these sessions with Tim.

As another FYI, many of the fans on the Finn Forum are very upset that Neil has joined Fleetwood Mac because they worry that this will deter Neil's creative output that is currently flowing like a river in recent years.

Here is the video of Neil and Liam playing a batch of songs including "Anger Plays A Part" and Neil/Tim singing "Alone."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rpkz...tu.be&t=25m56s

https://youtu.be/LDSDBG68zHI?t=1h38m39s

bwboy 05-26-2018 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugar Mouse (Post 1229240)
As another FYI, many of the fans on the Finn Forum are very upset that Neil has joined Fleetwood Mac because they worry that this will deter Neil's creative output that is currently flowing like a river in recent years.

Here is the video of Neil and Liam playing a batch of songs including "Anger Plays A Part" and Neil/Tim singing "Alone."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rpkz...tu.be&t=25m56s

https://youtu.be/LDSDBG68zHI?t=1h38m39s

Sugar Mouse, thanks so much for all the updates and links- it's much appreciated and helps to give me an idea of what to expect when I see FM in October. As far as his fans being upset because joining FM could deter his own output, they should consider that maybe he will be even more inspired AND may have another outlet for his creativity now. I mean, possibly playing on a FM album can bring in some new fans for him. Hopefully they will see it that way, too.

SteveMacD 05-26-2018 11:27 AM

I like “Message To My Girl,” although it reminds me a lot of Paul Carrack when he was in Squeeze.


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