Paul McCartney once claimed him as having the most consistently impressive body of work of any songwriter around. His Split Enz and Crowded House material has moved hearts for decades. Now Neil Finn’s after-dark, post-childrearing foray into grooving tunes is aiming to move their feet.
From the opener, Can’t Put It Down Until It Ends, Pajama Club uses their blend of shimmering keys, digital effects and Neil’s signature vocal to unravel their fresh sound. These Are Conditions reflecting a Peter Gabriel-esque sound and structure; Diamonds In Her Eyes proved another multi-layered winner.
Pajama Club is filled with synth-inspired beats and effects and is backed by an upbeat, all female rhythm section featuring Neil’s wife Sharon on bass and ex-Grates drummer Alana Skyring. They keep the groove going all night but there’s nothing complex or show stealing about their roles in this mix.
Tell Me What You Want is undoubtedly a hit and sees Neil move onto the drum kit and Skyring contributing on dual floor toms. Sharon’s sultry vocal is a standout. She’s equally as prominent on Daylight; a call and response vocal indulgence with its repetitive cries of “gonna give you my love”. Golden Child is another demonstration of their attractive boy/girl harmonies.
The focus is clearly on Neil Finn, and why wouldn’t it be? He’s the front man, his vocals are precise and familiar and he’s having a whale of a time contributing an array of well-placed solos and licks into each and every track. A proven entertainer, on stage, having fun with his band and performing brand new material is always going to be worth watching. And it most definitely was.
BY JOHN DONALDSON
