Search - Finn Brothers :: Everyone Is Here

Harmony

Wayne Klein | My Little Blue Window, USA | 09/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Two of the best singer/songwriters hook up in their brotherly combo with some help from their musical friends. "Everyone is Here" has some of the best material both Neil and Tim Finn have written and that's saying quite a bit considering their pedigree (Split Enz, Crowded House and their respective solo careers). Backed by a group of top musicians, this is the duos most unified and powerful album to date delivering on the promise of the sparse "Finn Brothers" debut nearly a decade ago.



Although it isn't exactly a concept album, it has a set of unifying themes one of them their sibiling relationship and family. While it might sound like a boring subject to write songs about, their complex relationship as sibilings over the years yields riches beyond expectations. The harmonic "Disembodied Voices" with its metaphorical glance back at their relationship as they grew up to the stunning harmonies that open the glorious and beautiful "Won't Give In", this album is rich in original melodies, great playing and the unique sound of the Finn's harmonies (the most stunning combination of two voices aside from The Everly Brothers). The amazing "Part of me, Part of You" has a rich melody worthy of Lennon and McCartney with a middle eight that takes the song to a completely other level.



"Edible Flowers" infused with a sense of melancholy but a intricate and melorable melody also is a stand out cut for Tim to sing. I honestly can't say that there's a bad cut on the album (and much as I loved "Finn Brothers", it did have a couple of tracks that just didn't live up to their potential). "Everyone is Here" delivers on the promise of both Neil and Tim's last set of solo albums.



If you get a chance pick up the single "Won't Give In" as it has two tracks not available on this album and both are worthwhile additions. "Sunset Swim" is a stunning song that didn't make the cut but probably should have been included. "Everyone is Here" certainly demonstrates that these vets haven't lost their ability to craft amazing songs with meaning."

Finn Again

John Scalzi | Ohio | 08/27/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is an easy recommendation for me since I think that Neil Finn is one of the best songwriters out there: Smart, witty, incredibly melodic in the Beatles mode. He's been underrated here in the US because outside of the left field hit of "Don't Dream it's Over" in the mid-80s, he's had the misfortune of putting out music that's largely been the opposite of what's popular at the moment, whatever moment that might be (the man was not about the grunge or the hair metal, the two dominant genres during the Crowded House years). However, outside the US, he's rather better regarded, particularly for Woodface, the Crowded House album which also featured Tim. That album was a big fat flop in the US but was a smash almost everywhere else in the world. Tim Finn doesn't have the same easy melodic genius of his younger brother (his music is a little more twitchy and angular), but he's also a fine songwriter. Between the two of them it's difficult to imagine they'd make a bad album.



And they haven't. Everyone is Here is not destined to be a massive hit -- it's the sound of two middle-aged brothers having a conversation about life, family, love and brotherhood, and it's a reasonable bet that the hip young kids today aren't ready to take part in that conversation. And that's fine -- let them have their Red Bulls and all-night parties. We'll catch up with them again in a couple of decades. But for anyone who has spent time wrestling with what it means to be a father, brother or son (or their female counterparts), there's a lot here that's going to ring true, set to music by two guys who know how to make songs fly.



The first single from the album, "Won't Give In," is an encapsulation of the album in minature, a beautiful song that simply and elegantly outlines what it means to be family and what that one word entails and rewards for those who are privleged to use it. For those who want more than mellow, may I suggest "All God's Children," which shows the Finns' slightly snarkier side, with fuzzy guitar spread thickly on top.



On the whole, however, a warm, welcoming and satisfying album, by grownups, about grownups and for grownups (and the kids who want to know what being grownup can be like in an ideal situation)."

Time Is A Flickering Light And We All Die Alone.

Jason Stein | San Diego, CA United States | 09/09/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Tim and Neil's second effort "Everyone Is Here" is simply a very good cd. Of the 12 tracks, 9 of them are great and the other three are very good. My favorites are "Won't Give In", "Nothing Wrong With You", "Anything Can Happen", "Homesick", "Disembodied Voices", "All God's Children", "All The Colours" and "Gentle Hum".



This cd is filled with intelligent, alternative pop with well written lyrics and memorable melodies. If you aren't familiar with Split Enz or Crowded House, then you should check them out as well. Tim and Neil fans such as myself will not be disappointed with "Everyone Is Here". Certainly one of the better releases of 2004."