Album Review: Songs From Before After by Tim Finn (1993)
Let’s get one thing straight—Tim Finn isn’t just some dude with a guitar. Dude's got layers, man. His 1993 album Songs From Before After is like that friend who shows up unannounced but ends up being the life of the party. It’s soft rock meets alternative vibes with a sprinkle of pop sensibility, all wrapped in a British bow courtesy of Capitol Records. And guess what? He wrote every single track himself. No co-writers, no ghostwriters—just Tim and his brain doing their thing.
Now, I gotta talk about two tracks that stuck to my brain like gum under a table: “Persuasion” and “Hit The Ground Running.”
“Persuasion” feels like an old-school love letter set to music. Like, imagine sitting on a park bench while someone whispers sweet nothings into your soul. The melody creeps up on you slow, almost shy-like, but then BAM—it blossoms into this lush, emotional ride. You can tell Tim poured his heart into this one. Maybe it’s the way he stretches out certain words or how the chords swell just enough to make you feel something without punching you in the face with it. Subtle yet unforgettable—that’s “Persuasion.”
Then there’s “Hit The Ground Running,” which is basically the opposite vibe. This song grabs you by the collar and says, “Hey, wake up!” It’s upbeat, kinda cheeky, and has this energy that makes you wanna move—even if it’s just tapping your foot awkwardly at your desk. There’s a confidence here that screams, “I know exactly what I’m doing,” and honestly? It works. By the time the chorus kicks in, you’re hooked.
The rest of the album keeps the momentum going too. Tracks like “Protected” and “In Love With It All” bring their own flavors to the mix, keeping things fresh without straying too far from Tim’s signature sound. It’s not groundbreaking stuff, sure, but sometimes you don’t need fireworks—you just need good tunes that stick around longer than last week’s leftovers.
Here’s the kicker though: Listening to this album feels like peeking into Tim Finn’s diary. These aren’t songs made for stadiums or TikTok trends—they’re personal, raw, and real. Like, you almost feel bad for enjoying them so much because they seem so him. But hey, art’s supposed to connect, right?
So yeah, Songs From Before After. Not perfect, not flashy—but damn if it doesn’t leave a mark. Honestly, after listening to it, I kinda wish more albums these days had this kind of quiet charm. Oh, and fun fact? Every time I hear “Persuasion,” I think about toast. Don’t ask me why. Music’s weird like that.
