JEFF FINLIN – American Dream #109 (7″ Single)

Korova KOW1011V: 4th September 2006
1. American Dream #109
“We’re on our knees every Sunday, ’cause the Football game is comin’ through”
2. Hallelu
“Found my freedom in a cross that lay burnin’, found my home in a homeless man, found my voice in a bell I heard a-ringin’, ringin’ in waves out across this land”

‘American Dream #109’ is at once seductive with its distinctive Organ, bouncy Drums and the croaky vocals of an older Kings Of Leon. It’s seductive just like the ‘American Dream’ itself, but after a couple of listens, you notice that the lines that seemed attractive like “Steaks on the grill” are followed by lines like “We ain’t leavin’ till we’re heavin'”. The lyrics lay out all the elements of the western idea of freedom and depending on the listener’s point of view, he’s either condemning or celebrating them. It’s rare to encounter a lyricist of such subtlety.

‘Hallelu’ is a melancholy Piano song that brings to mind Ryan Adams at his best or Jobriath when he rained in his natural flamboyance. The sound of the Piano lets me imagine Jeff sitting in a smoky Honky-Tonk bar at closing time (I’ve never been to a Honky-Tonk bar, but hell I’ve seen the movies!).

Sugar Blue mp3
Delta Down mp3

Jeff Finlin Website / Jeff Finlin MySpace Page

RICHARD HAWLEY – Hotel Room (CD & 7″ Singles)

Mute CDMUTE379 / MUTE379: 4th September 2006
1. Hotel Room (Single Version)
“The clothes in my younger days were so wild, and it’s time I met someone like you, and I ought to make certain that it’s true”
2. Young & Beautiful (Live Acoustic Version)
“You’re everything I’m dreaming of, so take these lonely arms of mine, and kiss me tenderly”
3. Some Candy Talking
“And I talk to the filth, and I walk to the door, I’m knee deep in myself, but I want to get more of that stuff, of that stuff, some candy talkin’”

‘Hotel Room’ is the fifth single to be lifted from Richard Hawley’s fantastic ‘Coles Corner’ album (A contender for my favourite LP from last year). That only leaves six tracks that haven’t had a crack at the charts, personally I still think ‘I Sleep Alone’ has hit-single written all over it. Apparently ‘Coles Corner’ came a close second to Arctic Monkey’s album at the recent Mercury awards. ‘Hotel Room’ is presented here in a more polished ‘Single Version’, perhaps a smidge too polished for my tastes.

‘Young & Beautiful’ is a delicate cover of an Elvis song and if you look, Richard is sporting an Elvis collar on the cover. ‘Some Candy Talking’ is a cover of a song by The Jesus & Mary Chain which was originally released on June’s ‘Q Covered’ compilation (Check Ebay to get a copy, it features many other brilliant covers by great artists… and Jamie Cullum). He turns it into a lushly produced number in the style of Burt Bacharach meets Spiritualized.

The Nights Are Cold (Acoustic) mp3
I’m On Nights (Acoustic) mp3
It’s Over Love (Acoustic) mp3
Darlin’ (Acoustic) mp3
Precious Sight (Acoustic) mp3

Do yourself a favour and click here to buy ‘Coles Corner’ from HMV for only £7.99.

Here are links to watch the wonderful videos for ‘Coles Corner’ and ‘Just Like The Rain’ on YouTube.

Richard Hawley Website / Richard Hawley MySpace Page