Freak-folk from back when it was called Acid-folk. Simon Finn has delusions of grandeur ("my poems rule the universe..." ), a tendency toward the trite psychedelic image ("may eagles lead your way," etc., etc.), and a voice that falls easily out of tune. Yet, his mossy songs are worthy of our attention. His spartan, quiet arrangements reveal the undeniable melodies at the centre of his work. Listen to the delicate acoustic guitar pattern; invariable, yet gaining power as Finn wraps it in increasingly dense layers of flute tones. Also, sometimes he delivers lyrics like Destroyer does.
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If Leonard Cohen was less careful, if he could lose his temper completely, subordinate his intellect to his emotions entirely, he might have recorded "Jerusalem".
Simon Finn invites augurs to determine what they will from his insides, which he has conveniently put on display. I'm no augur, but Finn's organ does not appear to me to bode well. [Buy]
Posted by Jordan at April 5, 2006 7:25 PMThe "jerusalem" link isn't working.
Posted by Kieran at April 5, 2006 8:33 PMarrrrr i posted jerusalem a few days ago. beautiful song. and Kieran's right, your link aint workin
"If my math isn't too rusty (which it is), Simon Finn was 19 when he recorded this song in 1969. That's pretty young considering it's one of the most passionate songs I've ever heard (David Tibet will agree). I think it was after hearing this song that I decided anyone with an acoustic guitar is an asshole (except Jeff Mangum, if he ever gets his shit together). Sorry about not posting new music, I'm just so busy. And anyway you've got so many great options in the meatime."
Posted by andrew at April 6, 2006 12:52 AMMethinks there's a little typo in the link, try this:
Posted by Dave at April 6, 2006 1:18 AMha ha, thanks Dave. the link is fixed now, so two ways! also, i did not tell jordan to 'move back to israel'. i am not a bigot. i was talking about the river.
Posted by dan at April 6, 2006 1:22 AMShould be fixed now. Thanks everybody.
Posted by Jordan at April 6, 2006 1:24 AMNope. Still not working. But the Dave link does. Absolutly amazing song.
Posted by David at April 6, 2006 12:48 PMAll links work now.
Posted by Sean at April 6, 2006 12:57 PMIt somehow makes me very happy to see that people still think and occasionally write about augurs. Nice post, Jordan- and the one from Wednesday afternoon made me laugh out loud.
Posted by Kevin at April 6, 2006 8:01 PM