7 Worlds Collide (Live at the St. James)

by

Neil Finn

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Neil Finn is not your average rocker. He is probably the most underappreciated lyricist and melody writer of our time! His themes are simple, yet far-reaching, and touch the places in the heart that most rock music today does not approach. This live album from Finn records a very personal performance reviewing his career from his days with Split Enz to his most recent solo work, with fellow musicians who just happen to be his friends. Eddie Vedder is having a rocking good time singing "I See Red", but he shifts gears quickly to croon the love ballad "Stuff and Nonsense" (both songs from Split Enz years). Tim Finn joins his brother for two songs from their collaboration FINN. "Angel's Heap" tells a personal story for the brothers, while "Paradise, Wherever You Are" captures the South Pacific spirit of their island home. Contributions come from Lisa Germano on "Turn and Run" and "Paper Doll" and Johnny Marr on "Down on the Corner". Neil himself shines on this album with a passionate, accoustic version of "Don't Dream It's Over" and the darkly romantic "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" and the musically Dali-esque "The Climber". When listening to this album, don't expect a completely polished performance. That was not Finn's goal. He wants to just have a good jam session with some good friends and family (his eldest son plays guitar on "I See Red"), and he invited a couple thousand of his best fans over for a listen. If you are a fan of Finn himself, Crowded House, or Split Enz, this album is well worth the money.

Disclaimer: Neil Finn is a brilliant songwriter.

That having been said, I'm a little ambivalent about this album. There are some good performances of some good songs. There's also an execrable performance of a good song. There are several performances of "songs" that should have been locked in a small tin box and dropped in the middle of the South Pacific. A good number of the tracks are in none of the preceding categories. Here it is in a nutshell:

(1) Tracks that will send shivers down your spine: "Edible Flowers" and the deliciously stripped down rendition of "Don't Dream It's Over".

(2) Other reasons why you should buy this album: "Anytime", "The Climber", "My Loose Tongue", "Turn and Run", "She Will Have Her Way".

(3) What should have been left on the mixing room floor: "Paper Doll" (it sounds like she's singing "Paper Towel". Stick to the violin, Lisa), "Stuff and Nonsense" (a little known Tim Finn number from the late seventies that reminds us that good songwriters usually don't start that way), "There is a light that never goes out" (for the cringeworthy lyrics).

(4) What they stuffed up: "Weather With You" (what's with the idiot tinkling on the piano in the background, anyway? Talk about a surefire way to destroy a great song's ambience.)