Finn Brothers

By PHIL GALLO

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Finn Brothers (John Anson Ford Theater; 900 seats; $ 20)
 
Band: Neil Finn, Tim Finn.
 

TX:Presented by Goldenvoice. Reviewed July 16, 1996. Rather than the stripped-down presentations that have become de rigueur when leaders step from the shadows or ashes of their bands, former Crowded House guiding light Neil Finn and brother Tim create music that basks in pop craftsmanship, and present songs so full-bodied that backing musicians seem superfluous. Tuesday evening, the first of two L.A. shows closing a seven-city tour, was a magic combination of wit, new songs and a durable musical catalog -- a trilogy that points to success. Discovery has licensed the previously import-only "Finn Brothers," and eight songs from the new disc fit well with material from the New Zealand duo's work in new wave progenitors Split Enz and the House.

Wisely, a half-dozen numbers from Crowded House's masterpiece album "Woodface" were included --"Four Seasons in One Day" might well be the best pop song of the last 15 years -- and all were performed with a gleam of the recorded versions, except for a funkified "Chocolate Cake."

Neil stuck to guitar and piano, while Tim roamed among congas, hand percussion, guitar, keyboards, the inside of the piano and the backstage hillside (where he delivered a little "King Lear"). The Finns front-loaded the set with new tunes --"Only Talking Sense,""Eyes of the Word,""Angels Heap, ""Where Is My Soul"-- that added a Pacific island lilt to their Brit-pop sound.

At times, the Finns sound as if they've OD'd on the Beatles' white album, though never does their inspiration overwhelm their originality. The Finn sound has become as identifiable as any in modern rock.

Split Enz songs "Time for a Change" and "Dirty Creature" showcased Tim's world-weary voice; that band's biggest hit, "I Got You," was performed by Neil on ukulele with a wryness that amplified how far these two have come since the dawn of new wave.