I haven’t been the greatest fan of Neil Finn’s latest venture Pajama Club. However I always find myself coming back to the band’s music, trying to find the genius that I know has to be in there. This is the guy who gave us Crowded House and Split Enz after all!
I wouldn’t say I’m hearing genius in their latest single “TNT for Two,” but there are certainly glimpses of it. The song may be their most accessible yet, especially stripped back as it is in this live recording at Round Head Studios.
Can you dig it?
I adore TNT For Two,it’s one of my favourite songs from PjC’s debut cd.Also love Tell Me What You Want,Daylight,Dead Leg and Diamonds In Her Eyes.I’ve been lucky enough to see them play live and had a blast at the gigs.
IMHO PjC rocks :0)
I think the thing is that you have to stop looking for “Neil Finn”. He decided to try his hand at something a little different, and that’s what Pajama Club is. Though it has moments reminiscent of his previous work, it is mostly new territory, and when you put aside expectations, there is some really good music to be found. For someone with an eclectic taste like mine, it’s easily found. For someone with a more specific taste in music, maybe it’s just not their “thing”. However, this is a matter of taste, not quality. Pajama Club is a quality band with quality songs. It’s a great album that I love more with every listen.
I freaking adore this song – it’s my favourite on the album. I love the groove that it has, but for me it’s Sean Donnelly’s haunting chant at the end that makes it my favourite.
Great track – not sure what you mean by ‘stripped back sound’ – played as it is on the CD!
Hi Bart – the differences are subtle but to me they’re noticeable. While the treatment is certainly similar there’s an intimacy about this recording. It feels smaller and there hasn’t been quite as much done with it in terms of production, which is one of the virtues of a live performance for this kind of band. I think it’s just a bit simpler, although that may simply come because it’s a performance captured by a little video camera rather than the big studio equipment! Either way that element is really working for me!
That’s a really smart comment Shauna, and I certainly don’t begrudge him trying something new. That’s what being a real artist is all about. And I know there’s something there because I do keep trying to go back and listen to the stuff, looking for something that speaks to me personally. Music’s all horses for courses though, and when you do create something really different you do risk alienating people who’ve loved your music previously. I’m hearing a groundswell of support for this single but I’ve also received some really negative comments about the band on this blog too. If you’re not polarising the people maybe you’re playing it too safe, hey?
Thanks Lauren.
So we’ve gone from ‘stripped back’ to ‘subtle differences’! Great thing is we agree it’s an excellent track
While I am a Neil Finn fan to the core, I have to say how pleasantly surprised I was to discover PJC. And especially this single . There’s something really groovy there and catches the imagination, and makes the feet start tapping. Different but great!
I can only agree with the here above comment : I love it 🙂