Album Review: Neil & Liam Finn - Lightsleeper

21 August 2018 | 12:41 pm | Liz Giuffre

"The sweetest love songs we've heard in a long time."

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Father and son, musical collaborators and fans of a damn good tune - Neil and Liam Finn have a lot in common.

However, it's their differences that make this album interesting, too. Single Back To Life gives a preview of the familiar family brand (and lovely it is), but dig a bit deeper for gems like Hiding Place - a combination of ornate sonic soundscapes and unusual lyrical metaphors that sways between lead vocalists and acoustic and electric layers. Any Other Way and Hold Her Close are basic and direct - the sweetest love songs we've heard in a long time - while the sound beds laid in Ghosts and Meet Me In The Air let the listener almost see into the fun the boys were having playing with their art in a familiar environment. Where's My Room evokes a summer's evening with a click like cicadas in the distance supporting some tight, catchy vocals; Anger Plays A Part draws the listener in with its relative minimalism but clearly polished theme and delivery.

Listen while trying to pick where one artist influences the other and who is taking which lead, or just enjoy how their talents and vocals merge to create something brand new.