The MG Album Club - #1) Everyone Is Here (Finn Brothers)

[Zeeba Neighba]

So after much deliberation the inaugural selection of our MG Album Club is:

Finn Brothers - Everyone Is Here (2004)

Although my favorite/most-played albums for 2004 are more energetic albums (my top four on year: Funeral, Franz Ferdinand, Hot Fuss, American Idiot), went with a less familiar and definitely a quieter and more introspective album. I was not a big fan of Crowded House, Neil Finn's band, when they hit big in 1987 (my wife was). Years later though, I discovered Crowded House's 1991 album Woodface (brother Tim Flynn had joined the group then) years later, and loved it. Well, here are the brothers now 13 years later, older and contemplating life. It's a mellow album and certainly week 1 of our Album Club probably deserves a brasher album, but I'm hoping those who might not be familiar with this albums finds beauty in the guy's harmonies (which remind me of the Jayhawks). Hope you enjoy it. I'd rate it with some of the songs really wonderful

So listen away over the next week and comment below (can be a few words or several lines however the spirit moves ya)

 

[Ojai Sam]

 

[axolotl]

^ Thanks, Ojai. I'll just listen to the 13 songs on the album.

IOW, Imma gunna skip the interviews, iffen y'all don't mind.

 

[Old Uncle Toe]

Pleasant to the ears
But not too remarkable
Restaurant background

 

[Ojai Sam]

^
Eating a lot of sushi lately, are we?

Chapter 1, in which the doc slips us all a Finn or two.

This is exactly the kind of album that I was hoping to discover from the latest iteration of the MGAC. 2004 wasn't a big year for me to find new music. Thank goodness MG came along 3 years later to rescue me from atrophy.

It may not be groundbreaking, but Everyone Is Here is a very solid record: strong, perceptive songs, nice harmonies and solid production values. The Finn Brothers remind me a bit of the pre-disco Bee Gees, not an unflattering comparison at all.

on the Sam-O-Meter.

 

[Nickyboy]

It may not be groundbreaking, but Everyone Is Here is a very solid record: strong, perceptive songs, nice harmonies and solid production values. The Finn Brothers remind me a bit of the pre-disco Bee Gees, not an unflattering comparison at all.

on the Sam-O-Meter.

I listened to it three times yesterday, and agree with Sam. It is not groundbreaking, but it it solid. That said, it has a "sound" and sticks to it through the album, giving a very "I already heard this, didn't I?" feel to me. It's not bad, but just kind of....there. It's good background music, but I don't think I would say "Hey, let's put this on as music for our party!". It kind of makes me miss Crowded House.
I give it three stars.

 

[Unsomnambulist]

I managed to enjoy this somewhere around the 8th track, but my first impression was that it was kinda bland, a little too pop and commercial sounding.

The production is great, however. Like Nick, I would give it .

 

[Old Uncle Toe]

Alpha Centuari
Betelgeuse and Pleiades
In the sky, three stars

 

[Ojai Sam]

That said, it has a "sound" and sticks to it through the album, giving a very "I already heard this, didn't I?" feel to me.

That was always my gripe with The Bee Gees.

 

[axolotl]

That was always my gripe with The Bee Gees.

Tragedy. [See below]

I started a joke. [See above]

 

[Worm]

I like it this much:

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Great participation so far.

I had a feeling this album might generate nice feeling but not excitement. Definitely is a quiet album, but I will say it grows on you. I agree that it lacks killer singles that make it memorable and that the songs could easily blend together. OTOH, it has a nice overall vibe as a whole, and I do think the harmonies are wonderful.

Woodface would be the brother's pinnacle (as Crowded House) - most here probably have heard that one, but worth checking out if you haven't

My other choice for selection for this year was the Futureheads debut which would have been a very different album. Good album and some songs are more memorable (e.g. their cover of Kate Bush's "Hounds of Love"). The English Beat and Jam influence on that album is clear, but it always makes me kind of just want to go listen to The English Beat or The Jam instead

 

[Nickyboy]

My other choice for selection for this year was the Futureheads debut which would have been a very different album. Good album and some songs are more memorable (e.g. their cover of Kate Bush's "Hounds of Love").

I must have listened to that album at least 4 times a day when it came out for months. A fantastic debut full of energy and spunk.

 

[axolotl]

I hear the harmonies reminiscent of The Jayhawks that Zeeba describes. That's never a bad thing.

This is pleasant yet unassuming fare, overall. Some songs resonated with me, although some seemed more like filler, no killer.

Like Worm, I give it , astronomically speaking. Nice un-brash pick, Docta Neighba.

 

[lpfreak1170]

Because I'm so speedy with things like this...for example see my 60s albums thread...lol.

Anyway, this was quite the pleasant surprise. after 2 listens...I can see it earning another 1/2 star with further listening.