Clear Heart Full Eyes

Artist: Craig Finn
Label: Vagrant Records
Website: steadycraig.tumblr.com

Craig Finn has released a good number of albums with Lifter Puller and The Hold Steady but Clear Heart Full Eyes represents his debut solo record. Like any other frontman spreading his wings, Clear Heart Full Eyes changes up things a bit from his normal routine and definitely gives you a honest and transparent look at Finn.

One change for Craig on this record was his travel to Austin, Texas to record with producer Mike McCarthy (Spoon, Heartless Bastards) which not only helped remove all his familiar surroundings but McCarthy also supplied the backing musicians. This new approach embraced the more laid back guitar and vocal focus on Clear Heart Full Eyes, while also giving the record a very Americana undertone. This vibe comes through loud and clear on the folk-jangly "New Friend Jesus" and the standout pedal steel on "Western Pier".

Most of the album keeps a mid-tempo pace on its tracks but noticeably finds Finn examining being alone, displacement, religion and living outside your comfort zone. This true emotion comes through on tracks like "Rented Room" when Finn sings "I know I should be getting over you, certain things are really hard to do when you're living in a rented room", or on "No Future" when he claims his best advice came from Johnny Rotten when he said "God Save The Queen - no future for you - no future for me.

Craig Finn has released a good record here that grows on you with each spin but will struggle to make a long-lasting impression. I believe Hold Steady fans will still like this record but the songs are not always memorable which ultimately holds Clear Heart Full Eyes back from being stellar.

Christopher Anthony

For more of Christopher Anthony's music reviews, check out The Fire Note