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SIMON FINN, "SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD" |
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Written by Jonathan Dean
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Sunday, 12 June 2005 |
Perhaps as a little addendum to his full-length, Simon Finn
simultaneously released this five-song CDEP, for sale at the recent
Toronto shows. It's very much in the same vein as Magic Moments,
just Finn and his guitar, more musings about the frustrations attendant
to love, human communication, sadness and joy, longing for life and
death.
Durtro Jnana
The title track tells the story of a man who has passed away his
existence as a stranger in his own life - forever living in the
subjective, the hypothetical, the plane of dreams and ideals - the verb
tense suggested by the title: "Most of his life, it seems/Has passed in
the subjunctive mood/The imagined, wished and dreamed for but/He must
learn how not to brood on all the/Were it nots, and were she theres/The
be that as it mays/and God help him." On all of these songs, Finn
accompanies himself, strumming or fingerpicking simply melodies that
bolster his lyrics, which are the real attraction here. I thought at
first that "Rich Girl With No Trousers" might be a declaration of love
for the slutty heiress Paris Hilton, but judging by the sad, reflective
lyrics, it's more likely about a woman from Finn's half-remembered
past. The high lonesome blues sound of "Lingering" recalls Chris Thomas
King's haunting versions of Skip James songs, connecting Finn's
traditional Brit folk leanings with early American folk and blues. I
have nothing but respect for Simon Finn, who has jumped back into
writing and recording after a more than thirty-year absence, with all
the aplomb and poise of a seasoned veteran. However, I do hope that at
some point he considers recording another album like Pass the Distance,
working again with collaborators that can transform his emotionally
charged folk songs into something even greater through unorthodox
arrangements and interesting production. Not that I wouldn't be happy
with more like this EP and Magic Moments, it's just a wish. - Jonathan Dean
samples:
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