Well-versed pop rock from New Zealand's fortunate son

On his full-length debut, the child of Kiwi pop kingpin Neil Finn (Split Enz, Crowded House) is more a descendent of the scattershot aesthetic that Todd Rungren perfected on his 1972 masterpiece Something/Anything. Often producing and playing all the instruments, Liam loops hook-happy guitars through syncopated rhythms ("Second Change," "Energy Spent"), serves up classic-pop reproductions (the Beach Boys-esque "Lullaby"), and tosses in odds and ends both ridiculous (the honking "Better To Be") and sublime (the gently folk-rocking "Wise Man"). Skillful if occasionally rickety, Lightning showcases a confident, evolving voice. 3.5 stars.

- Shannon Zimmerman, SPIN