Craig Finn: Clear Heart Full Eyes

Craig Finn
Clear Heart Full Eyes
Vagrant Records [2012]









Fire Note Says: Solo debut from The Hold Steady frontman has its moments.

Album Review:
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.

Key Tracks: "No Future", "Terrified Eyes", "Rented Room"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Elvis Costello
Bob Mould
Jenny Lewis

The Hold Steady: Heaven Is Whenever [Fire Note Review 5/4/10]
The Hold Steady: A Positive Rage [Fire Note Review 4/13/09]
The Hold Steady: Stay Positive [Fire Note Review 7/17/08] [#13 Top 50 2008]
The Hold Steady: Boys And Girls In America [Fire Note Review 10/3/06] [#2 Top 25 2006]

Craig Finn Website
Craig Finn Facebook
Vagrant Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony