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SIMON FINN, "SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD"
Perhaps as a little addendum to his full-length, Simon Finnsimultaneously released this five-song CDEP, for sale at the recentToronto shows. It's very much in the same vein as Magic Moments,just Finn and his guitar, more musings about the frustrations attendantto love, human communication, sadness and joy, longing for life anddeath.
Durtro Jnana
The title track tells the story of a man who has passed away hisexistence as a stranger in his own life - forever living in thesubjective, the hypothetical, the plane of dreams and ideals - the verbtense suggested by the title: "Most of his life, it seems/Has passed inthe subjunctive mood/The imagined, wished and dreamed for but/He mustlearn how not to brood on all the/Were it nots, and were she theres/Thebe that as it mays/and God help him." On all of these songs, Finnaccompanies himself, strumming or fingerpicking simply melodies thatbolster his lyrics, which are the real attraction here. I thought atfirst that "Rich Girl With No Trousers" might be a declaration of lovefor the slutty heiress Paris Hilton, but judging by the sad, reflectivelyrics, it's more likely about a woman from Finn's half-rememberedpast. The high lonesome blues sound of "Lingering" recalls Chris ThomasKing's haunting versions of Skip James songs, connecting Finn'straditional Brit folk leanings with early American folk and blues. Ihave nothing but respect for Simon Finn, who has jumped back intowriting and recording after a more than thirty-year absence, with allthe aplomb and poise of a seasoned veteran. However, I do hope that atsome point he considers recording another album like Pass the Distance,working again with collaborators that can transform his emotionallycharged folk songs into something even greater through unorthodoxarrangements and interesting production. Not that I wouldn't be happywith more like this EP and Magic Moments, it's just a wish. - Jonathan Dean
Durtro Jnana
The title track tells the story of a man who has passed away hisexistence as a stranger in his own life - forever living in thesubjective, the hypothetical, the plane of dreams and ideals - the verbtense suggested by the title: "Most of his life, it seems/Has passed inthe subjunctive mood/The imagined, wished and dreamed for but/He mustlearn how not to brood on all the/Were it nots, and were she theres/Thebe that as it mays/and God help him." On all of these songs, Finnaccompanies himself, strumming or fingerpicking simply melodies thatbolster his lyrics, which are the real attraction here. I thought atfirst that "Rich Girl With No Trousers" might be a declaration of lovefor the slutty heiress Paris Hilton, but judging by the sad, reflectivelyrics, it's more likely about a woman from Finn's half-rememberedpast. The high lonesome blues sound of "Lingering" recalls Chris ThomasKing's haunting versions of Skip James songs, connecting Finn'straditional Brit folk leanings with early American folk and blues. Ihave nothing but respect for Simon Finn, who has jumped back intowriting and recording after a more than thirty-year absence, with allthe aplomb and poise of a seasoned veteran. However, I do hope that atsome point he considers recording another album like Pass the Distance,working again with collaborators that can transform his emotionallycharged folk songs into something even greater through unorthodoxarrangements and interesting production. Not that I wouldn't be happywith more like this EP and Magic Moments, it's just a wish. - Jonathan Dean
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