New Music: The Pajama Club
The red wine -uelled jam-session that started out in the Finn’s (Sharon and Neil) living room has turned into a debut album for band, Pajama Club. Joined by Sean Donnelly (The Bellbirds) and Alana Skyring (The Grates), the supergroup have collaborated to deliver a modern and unique self-titled LP that will really show fans Finn’s darker, more intense side.
The opening trackTell Me What You Want sees Finn (Neil) adopt a decidedly deeper vocal range to create a song full of suspense. The breathy lyrics alongside Finn’s (Sharon’s) backing vocals provide a drama that really sets the tone for the rest of the album to come. It seems that Pajama Club are really interested in modernising their sound, and drawing away from their previously affiliated roles. We can’t really help but automatically associate Neil Finn with the folk-sounds of Crowded House, but right from the get-go, this album suggests that we’ll be having none of that. It’s definitely an edgier sound than what anyone was probably expecting – but versatility is truly a welcome thing.
Can’t Put it Down Until it Ends has a killer chorus – and there’s a little bit of genius in there also with some offset harmonies really make the track. An electronic-inspired musical backing is calling out for a Kraftwerk reference – it’s a great addition to a song that might otherwise get lost amongst the other tracks. Next up is one of my favourites,These Are Conditions. I love the eighties feel to this song – it opens with a big bass riff that is continued throughout. You can tell the band has had fun with this album – and they’ve really benefited from the convergence of a range of musical styles – what we get is a sort of mash of genres that surprisingly (unexpectedly?) works well.
To be honest I’m not too sure about the lyrics onFrom a Friend to a Friend, but I thin this track maintains a great tempo, and it I love the combination of Sharon and Neil’s voices together. The next song,Golden Child is a definite change of pace, as the band delivers something a bit slower. For some reason, I get a real Kinks, Sunny Afternoon vibe as this song begins – it’s really a beautiful sounding track, and my pick of the album.
Daylight highlights some of Neil’s best vocal moments on this album, exploring a more familiar vocal range on what is a truly feel-good track. Go Kart edges away from the electronic sounds that we see early on in the piece – and is Sharon’s chance to shine vocally, as she gives a dark and sinister edge to what would otherwise be a traditional girl-meets-boy tune.
Continuing with the eighties theme is the Bowie-soundingDead Leg. I love the chorus on this track, but it has that ‘futuristic sound’ which suggests that it might have been better placed higher up on the track listing. The final song,Diamonds in Her Eyes is another favourite. A love-song song of sorts (a bit twisted, nonetheless), it has so much going on – big backing music, overlain vocals – but it works together perfectly. It’s a great track to finish on, and is a sort of resolution to the mystery that is created through the former half of the album.
I’d love to say that you’d enjoy this album if you were a Neil Finn fan, but to be honest, there’s really no telling. Pajama Club have obviously worked hard to create an album that stands alone from any previous work – and they’ve delivered an amazing album full of standout moments. If you’re interested in hearing how far those original jam-sessions have come, Pajama Club’s self-titled album is set for release on Spetember 9. If you just can’t wait, three of their songs are available to listen at the band’s website.