Finick – Weekends In Purgatory
This is the Minneapolis-based artist’s 2nd studio LP. It continues to dabble with its high-concept, high-energy artistry. The songs explore a deeper realm of growing up with determination & teenage angst.
There are 11 Weekends In Purgatory (Drops March 28/Independent/39:55) with the production supervised by Taylor James Donskey (bass/banjo/whistle/organ/guitar/whistle/organ). Finick (aka Josie Hasnik – vocals/acoustic & electric guitars/harmonica/slide whistle), whether she knows it or not, mastered, yes, mastered the teenage throb & hormone torrent that percolated in songs & performances in the ‘60s charts.
Showcases like the dark pieces of the Shangri-Las (“Leader of the Pack,” “Dressed In Black”) shine in Finick’s “Selfish.” In a mere 2:36, she creates the perfect single for radio (though this one is explicit).
As the repertoire continues, Finick never tips her mitt into novelty or camp. She treats the tunes seriously & that’s where the shades of Lesley Gore (“It’s My Party,” “Judy’s Turn To Cry,” “That’s The Way Boys Are”), Shirelles, Dixie Cups (“Iko, Iko”), Chiffons (“He’s So Fine”), Crystals (“He’s a Rebel”) & Reparata & the Delrons (“Whenever a Teenager Cries”) surface. But not so much as The ’80s Go-Go’s, who were a little too sweet. Finick avoids this.
Finick has a generous blast of Americana with her mainstream swipes. She does material like “No Name,” “Mud,” “Busy & Bored”– exceptional tunes. I’m a baby-boomer & I like these songs. They bounce high, are authentic & I need a piece of Bazooka bubble gum to listen to these.
There’s just enough echo to keep the tunes safely away from retro. “How To Lose You” has muscle — the late Amy Winehouse loved girl-group songs like this. Back in my day, Connie Francis was the queen of pop. But it was Mary Weiss & the Shangri-Las who brought the hint of danger. Then it became more artistic when Nancy Sinatra brought “These Boots Are Made For Walkin.’” Even her more threatening ‘stay away from Lightning’s Girl.”’
Finick has this beauty to her balladry & also a stiletto tone when she gets down. Her range, clarity & intonation work well for her. Her Connie Francis comes with the formidable “Bigger Than Us.” It’s slinky guitar answers her lyrical angst & it’s striking like Connie (“Who’s Sorry Now,” “Where the Boys Are”).
Track 8 isn’t The Castaways’ mono 1965 garage rock classic “Liar, Liar” but Finick’s identically titled piece has a catchiness sewn into the fabric. Like all of Finick’s work.
Highlights – “Selfish,” “Busy & Bored,” “How To Lose You,” “Bigger Than Us,” “No Name,” “Liar, Liar,” “Third Time’s a Charm” & “Mud.”
Musicians – Josie Hasnik (vocals/acoustic & electric guitars/slide whistle/harmonica/music & lyrics), JT Bates (drums/percussion), Jake Johnson (fiddle/electric guitar), Sammie Jean Cohen & Tony Williamette (whistles).
Blue sweater image courtesy of Finick’s Bandcamp & the white dress image courtesy of Adriana Mathiason. CD at Bandcamp & https://finickofficial.com/
Great review! I never thought of all of these older musical similarities as the album was being made.