Jim Farber, the New York Daily News Rock Critic, isn't some Jann Wenner bootlicking lackey from Rolling Stone, when Farber raves about an album, the wise person listens up. Jim gave Craig Finn's first solo effort, Clear Heart, Full Eyes, a 5 star review.
Si I paid attention but I already had. I'd bought a tix to see the Hold Steady leader solo at Mercury Lounge in late February and I had raved about "Honolulu Blues" -all over MFT- for weeks on end. And I just streamed it on NPR (http://www.npr.org/2012/01/15/144960565/first-listen-craig-finn-clear-heart-full-eyes?ps=cprs) and I like it fine but not as much as Farber.
Farber writes: "No matter how many instruments circle and approach him, they’re kept at a distance from the main thrust: his vocals. Insistent, clear and full, they command the mix, making his songs seem as much dictated as sung." and I'll buy. Lyrically it is smart and powerful. But musically, the songs don't sustain the power of the words . And as for this comment: " He also remains as hot for Catholic imagery…" I think that suggest something that isn't true. The word "imagery" is not accurate. He isn't using imagery, he is proselytyzing for his religion. I've got no kick either way but on a gorgeous country strummer "New Friend Jesus", it is sophistication to suggest "I wish I was with Jesus when I met you" is mmetaphore. It isn't. He isn't speaking in riddles, not even in tongues, he is expressing religious belief.
On "No Future" Craig claims "The devil lives". what Finn means by this is as follows: he means the devil lives. For an old time agnostic like myself, it is like watching a ballgame when you don't support either game. You might enjoy the game, but there is nothing much at stake.
So, after one listen (and I will probably write more about it when I've listened it more), I'll give it a B+ or, just for comparisons sake, 3 and 1/2 stars. May God forgive me.