Liam Finn

Finn: Beach beardie

I'll Be Lightning

Shall we get the obvious bit out of the way? Liam Finn is indeed the son of NZ's finest musical export Neil Finn. Yes, his dad has helped and encouraged the career.

He's supported Crowded House on tour. Hell, several years ago, the band even jammed a song about a burglar ('I thought he was a nice burglar... but he wasn't a nice burglar') penned by Liam aged approximately six.

The good news is that on the evidence of this album, Liam would have succeeded even without paternal support - and his songwriting is very much improved. He's certainly inherited the family way with melody and a minor key, and the sort of darker tones that have influenced much of Neil's later work.

If that makes I'll Be Lightning sound like a new Crowded House album... well, fans of that band won't be disappointed. But that's not the whole picture, not by a long shot. This is a fine debut, the sort of album that rewards repeated listenings, with the often bouncy tunes masking lyrics of obsession and pain: think ironic singalong and you'll be on the right tracks.

As well as an ability to write a cracking tune and a heartstopping lyric, Liam also plays most of the instruments here. So we'd hate him if the album wasn't so damn good.

They say: 'A proper wild-eyed oddball of a man (in a good way), Finn writes irresistible songs that hum with riotous melodic invention....however he presents the song, each one feels wonderfully warm to the touch.' The Guardian.

We say: A very fine debut indeed.

Best track: Gather To The Chapel.

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