For his latest effort, Liam Finn is joined by his childhood friend and muse Eliza Jane. The duo have put forth Champagne in Seashells, a delightful five-song EP. The EP is appropriately titled. Throughout the track list, bubbly melodies tickle the ear wrapped in the analog waves of studio effects and fuzz. Finn supplies the listener with variations on funk, pop, and late 60’s Beatles rock
“Plane Crash” begins with slowly building verses that make me think that Liam Finn is the missing member of Sgt. Pepper's brigade. It explodes into violence and confusion just halfway through. “Long Way To Go” ups the funk factor and is heavy on the back beat.
It can be hard to find things to criticism in EPs, but there are some minor qualms with Champagne in Seashells. “Won’t Change My Mind” is a great track until the last two minutes of pointless instrumental jam and animal noise. It has little relation to the rest of the track and wastes time. Same goes for the last 30 seconds of “Honest Face.”
The last track, “On Your Side,” displays the talent and smokey vocals of Eliza Jane. Until this point she has been relegated to backup duty and it’s a wonder why. She owns the song.
There’s a lot to hear in just 20 minutes. Finn has mentioned that he wouldn’t mind collaborating on a record again and if the results are similar to this, I’ll look forward to it.
Champagne in Seashells is out on Haw River’s own Yep Roc Records.
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