Opinion Neil Finn

[Freuds_Cat]

I was amazed to read the following quote in an old (2001) copy of Australian Musician magazine today.

Oz Musician: "People like Metallica have gone to great lengths to protect their music and the financial aspect of it...

Neil Finn: "Yeh, you know they sound like a business and I don't have much respect for them.



I was quite surprised that a guy who is generally pretty laid back about most things would make such a strong statement in an interview.

I found the article reproduced online here:
http://www.australianmusician.com.au/mag/winter01/finn.html

[Barklessdog]

He must be a fan of South Park and lives of fear of Lars.

[uwe]

I think he sings better than James Hetfield. And more adept in major key chord progressions too.

It is true that Lars' personal wealth was never endangered by what was happening on Napster, but he seems to be one of those people forever in fear that something might be taken away from them. Not that I downloaded or shared music ever. I need a CD and a booklet in a jewel case, better yet a digipack and even have half a dozen of Metallica CDs, thereby greatly contributing to Lars' personal life style. But I was never convinced that Napster was more detrimental to CD sales than home taping was in the seventies to vinyl.

I alwasy found Crowded House a bit too twee for my taste, but have gradually come to appreciate them more (after they broke up), plus I really liked his last solo album. I can certainly agree with his quote in full:

"Yeh, you know they sound like a business and I don't have much respect for them. I don't want to slag them off particularly, but I don't think that whole thing looked very good. It looked like they were anti-fans in a way. The principles of copyright are obviously what has made me money over the years and it's hypocritical for me to say all music should be free, because I have obviously benefited from copyright being strong but I also think the people that download music in the main are fans, and at some point they will buy something off you that you will get money from. So why begrudge them a few free things."

My home is filled with hundreds of Deep Purple bootlegs, none of which will ever see the band a penny, but I also have all their official stuff several times over and over and over. If Roger Glover ever came to my house, I think he would agree that he's made more money off me than I or the bootleggers have "stolen" from him. Copyright has its place, but so does "illegal" copying. Within reason.

Uwe

[Freuds_Cat]

I couldn't agree more Uwe, even the bit about twee. 

[Barklessdog]

I have a soft spot for his brother Tim because of his work with 801 & Phil Manzanera's solo stuff. I really liked Neils solo work.


My son informed me that Neils son Liam, has taken up in dad's footsteps, in more than one way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIa8YOABRD0&feature=related

[uwe]

Ok, I can hear the genes! Nice.

[OldManC]

I came to Crowded House late in the game but think Neil is brilliant full stop. He's a great performer and I've greatly enjoyed the few times I've seen him. He also seems like he'd be the same guy in person that you picture him being in interviews. I have an acquaintance who is a mega fan (has traveled to New Zealand to see CH and Neil solo and goes to literally every show in and around LA when any band member is in town). She has always said he's aces.

[Hornisse]

I don't think Lars has anything to worry about.  Most people don't download anything past the Black Album anyway. 

[uwe]

Ouch, a scathing remark that is. But they have never recorded again something as mature and consistent in songwriting. The stuff that followed sounded like outtakes, St Anger was therapy/an experiment and the new one ain't bad, but it's no black album. Frankly, I found eberything they did pre-Master of Puppets unlistenable and Justice for All cluttered.

Uwe

[Highlander]

I kind of dismissed them for many years, then I bought S&M...

Load/Reload make good listening, too and I enjoyed the "Garage" stuff...

Pre "Black" is selected works only for me... newest is back on track...

... just where is that "freight train..."? (No Leaf Clover)

[Hornisse]

I did see them on the 1997 tour when Newsted was still with them.  It was a great show!  The boys do know how to rock.  Most of the material was pre-Load era though.  I still have that first cassette tape on Megaforce Records somewhere.  I must have been 21 when that first record came out.  I agree with Uwe that the first 3 records are classics.